MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
In less than two months the Missouri State Highway Patrol will be required to follow a new law officials say it doesn't have the money to enforce. Bente Birkeland reports from Jefferson City.
On January 1 a new law will reuire the Missouri State Highway Patrol to obtain DNA samples from every prisoner who is about to be released. Right now the department only takes DNA samples from violent felons and sex offenders.
Lt. Tim Hull works for the state highway patrol. Hull says more DNA sampling will help the state prosecute repeat offenders, but would also require an additional one and a half million dollars to start.
In January the governor's office will have the power to issue an emergency appropriation and give the highway patrol the money to run the program, but Spence Jackson, a spokesperson for Governor-elect Matt Blunt says its premature to say which programs Blunt will fund when he takes office.
From the State Capital, I'm Bente Birkeland.
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Next year a new law will require more Missouri prisoners to give DNA samples to state government. But state officials say they don't have enough money set aside for the program. Bente Birkeland has more from Jefferson City.
On January 1 state law requires the Missouri State Highway Patrol to get DNA samples from prisoners who are about to be released. In the past the highway patrol only took samples from sex offenders and felons. Lt. Tim Hull, a 22 year veteran of the state highway patrol says the program will help the state prosecute repeat offenders.
Hull says the highway patrol needs at least an additional one and a half million dollars to start the program.
From the State Capital, I'm Bente Birkeland.
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State officials say a new lay aimed at helping the state prosecute repeat criminals needs more funding. Bente Birkeland has more from Jefferson City.
On January 1, a law will require the Missouri State Highway Patrol to take DNA samples from all criminals who are about to be released.
Right now, DNA sampling is limited to sex offenders and violent offenders.
Lt. Tim Hull, a year veteran of the state highway patrol, says the legislature hasn't allocated enough money for the program.
Hull says the highway patrol needs at least an additional one and a half million dollars.
"We have to wait for the funding to actually come in here to spend it. Then we also have to have spending authority. We didn't get the spending authority."
In January, Governor-elect Matt Blunt will have the authority to issue an emergency appropriation to give the highway patrol the money.
But Blunt spokesperson Spence Jackson says it's too early to say what Blunt will do.
From the state capitol, I'm Bente Birkeland.