ALBANY, NY — The NYS Senate passed legislation (S.5560a) today, co-sponsored by Senator John Bonacic, which would expand DNA testing to all misdemeanors and felony violations of New York’s penal law.

New York’s DNA database became operational in 1996. Since that time, it has helped identify the perpetrators in more than 10,000 crimes.

DNA samples taken from those convicted of minor crimes can lead to solving major crimes. “As law enforcement has said, today’s petit larceny offender can be tomorrow’s armed robber, which can lead to homicide,” Senator Bonacic said.

According to the State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the use of DNA has led to dozens of convictions across Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties, as well as one exoneration.