Search warrants: newborn screening program.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Health
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill allows the California Department of Public Health to release a portion of newborn blood specimens to coroners and law enforcement under specific circumstances. Specifically, it permits the release of DNA samples obtained through a search warrant if the warrant’s objective is to identify a missing person suspected of being a victim of a crime like homicide or kidnapping. The bill also requires the department to report annually on the number of requests received, search warrants issued, and disclosures made related to these releases.
Key provisions
- Authorizes the release of newborn blood specimens to coroners for identifying unidentified human remains.
- Permits the release of DNA samples obtained through a search warrant to identify missing persons suspected of being victims of specific crimes.
- Requires the Department of Public Health to generate an annual report detailing requests, warrants, and disclosures.
- Establishes a process for coroners to request specimen releases.
- Specifies the types of crimes for which DNA release is authorized (homicide, kidnapping, child abuse resulting in death, manslaughter).
- Mandates the inclusion of data on search warrants and disclosures in the annual report.
Who is affected
- Newborns and their parents
- Coroners
- Law enforcement agencies
- The State Department of Public Health
- Researchers utilizing biospecimens
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
1 on record
Primary sponsor
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours