Bill requiring all state prisoners submit DNA samples heads to DeSantis

By Michelle Vecerina

Published Mar. 7, 2024, 12:27 p.m. ET | Updated Mar. 7, 2024

Bed in a prison, Nov. 25, 2020. (Photo/RDNE Stock project, Pexels)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A bill requiring all state prisoners submit a DNA sample passed the Senate floor Thursday and will now head to the governor’s desk.

Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, sponsored HB 533, which passed through the Senate with a 40-0 vote. Sen. Blaise Ingoglia sponsored the Senate version of the bill.

Ingoglia said it is a “very simple bill.” It requires any inmate in custody of the Florida Department of Corrections that has not previously submitted a DNA sample to now have to do so.

According to a bill analysis, the current Florida statute from 1990 only requires “qualifying offenders” to provide DNA samples under specified circumstances. Ingoglia said “everything was prospective” regarding taking DNA samples.

Ingoglia said currently, there are between 40-50 inmates in the department of corrections’ custody that have never given DNA samples.

Under HB 533, it would now allow the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to get those 40-50 inmates’ DNA samples, which Ingoglia said will “hopefully” allow the department to solve some old cold cases.

The bill will now head to the governor for final approval.