DNA evidence: CODIS Hit Outcome Project.

Existing law, the DNA and Forensic Identification Database and Data Bank Act of 1998, provides that the Department of Justice, through its DNA Laboratory, is responsible for the management and administration of the state's DNA and Forensic Identification Database and Data Bank Program. Existing law prohibits the DNA and forensic identification database and databank from being used as a source of genetic material for testing, research, or experiments by any person, agency, or entity seeking to find a causal link between genetics and behavior or health. This bill would establish the CODIS Hit Outcome Project (CHOP) database in, and would require that the database be administered and managed by, the department. The bill would impose various requirements and restrictions relating to the CHOP database, including, among other things, a requirement that every city, county, or state laboratory participating in CODIS enter into the database data specified by the department upon notification that a CODIS hit has occurred, a prohibition against the CHOP database containing DNA profiles, and a requirement that each law enforcement agency within California responsible for the investigation or prosecution of a case involving a DNA database match to a California offender report to the Department of Justice, through the CHOP database, the status or outcome of that investigative lead. The bill would require a city, county, or city and county to be reimbursed for the cost of reporting that information to the Department of Justice. By imposing a higher level of service on local entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.