Governor signs new DNA requirement, more money for fire departments

By DEBORAH BAKER and BARRY MASSE

SANTA FE (AP) - New Mexico will begin collecting DNA samples next year from adults arrested for some felonies under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Bill Richardson.

On the eve of his deadline to act on bills from the recent 30-day legislative session, the governor also signed a bill to funnel more money to fire departments across the state.

The new DNA law expands the previous law, which required adult offenders to provide DNA samples when they're convicted.

The measure was dubbed "Katie's Law" in memory of Kathryn "Katie" Sepich, a New Mexico State University student who was raped and slain in 2003. Her killer has not been found.

Sepich's parents, Jayann and David, lobbied for the measure. In a signing ceremony in Carlsbad, Richardson called them "a beacon to us all."

"You took the darkest, most horrible experience a parent can imagine and made some good come of it," he said.

The Sepiches and other supporters of the new requirement say it could lead to earlier apprehension of murderers or rapists who otherwise might continue to commit crimes.

Under the new law, suspects 18 and over will have to provide DNA samples _ from a cheek swab, for example _ when they're booked at jails or detention centers for any of a range of felonies, including murder, kidnapping, burglary and sex offenses.

If they're ultimately acquitted or not prosecuted or convicted of a misdemeanor, they can request that the sample be expunged.

The new law also requires that DNA samples collected from sexual assault victims be put in the state DNA database.

The new fire department law increases the amount of money distributed to counties and cities from the state's fire protection fund, which is financed by a tax on some insurance premiums.

It would mean an extra $4.9 million for the departments over the next couple of budget years, according to an analysis done for the Legislature.

Currently, about half the money collected from the tax _ about $28 million next year _ goes into the state's main budget account. Under the new law, by 2014 all the money from the tax will be funneled to a Fire Protection Grant Fund, for distribution to local departments.

Other bills signed by the governor:

_Create an "intrastate mutual aid system" for responding to disasters and emergencies and requests by local and tribal governments for aid in dealing with emergencies, including wildfires.

_Prohibit employers from firing, demoting or discriminating against workers who are absent from jobs because they are responding to a disaster or emergency. The job protection will cover members of volunteer fire departments, search and rescue teams, emergency medical services, law enforcement officers and people who are formally part of a governmental emergency response effort.

_Allow the Environment Department to enter into agreements for regulated facilities, such as Los Alamos National Laboratory, to pay the agency's costs of overseeing cleanup of contaminated sites or hazardous waste operations.

_Require the few underground mines in New Mexico to quickly notify the state of accidents and provide workers with self-rescue and communication devices.