Ingoglia, Fabricio file bills requiring state collect DNA sample of all inmates to end ‘loophole’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sen. Blaise Ingolgia, R-Spring Hill, and Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, filed House and Senate versions of a bill that would require the Department of Corrections to collect DNA samples of all inmates.

The legislators argued that SB 524 and HB 533 are needed to close a loophole in the DNA sampling process.

“Capturing these DNA samples will allow law enforcement to potentially close decades-long cold cases and bring the families much needed closure they deserve,” Ingoglia said in a press release.

“Victims have rights, too, and that includes the right to know who committed atrocious crimes against their loved ones,” he added.

Ingoglia told Florida’s Voice that the current law mandating prisoners give their DNA was prospective and not retroactive.

He explained that inmates who began long terms prior to when the law was passed, have not given their DNA. Getting the information could “solve decades-long cold cases.”

The bill text specifically reads that all inmates who have not submitted a DNA sample to the department must do so by Sept. 30, 2024.

“This bill will close a loophole in the law and will allow us to obtain DNA evidence from all persons incarcerated in Florida state prisons so that our backlog of cases can be closed, which will bring finality and closure to many Florida families,” Fabricio said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is required by state statute to have a database of DNA samples from individuals who are arrested or convicted of actions not limited to sexual assault, lewdness/indecent exposure, murder, robberies, kidnapping, assault/battery, burglary, felony firearm violations, and thefts.

According to the department, there are nearly 1,674,000 offender and arrestee profiles on record, as of September 2023.