ALBANY (AP) -- New York is moving up to August the start for collecting DNA samples from everyone convicted of a felony or penal misdemeanor.
Collection of so-called "all-crimes DNA" will begin two months sooner than originally authorized in the law passed earlier this month.
The measure will roughly double the collections that are made with saliva swabs currently taken from all felons and people convicted of 36 misdemeanors.
The additional cost for the coming fiscal year is $1.4 million, including $200,000 for starting early and $500,000 for a provision added to the law that gives defense lawyers access to the DNA database. The database contains genetic profiles from offenders and crime scenes, including post-conviction testing.
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