City of Philadelphia - File #: 060191

• File #: 060191
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 3/9/2006
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 3/9/2006
• Title: Urging the General Assembly of Pennsylvania to pass House Bill 1462, introduced by Rep. Gabig of Cumberland County, which would require all local officials to share DNA samples of missing persons with the state police.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Ramos, Councilmember Ramos, Councilmember Mariano, Councilmember Mariano, Council President Verna, Council President Verna, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Kelly, Councilmember Kelly, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Krajewski

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
3/9/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED
3/9/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED
3/9/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
3/9/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
3/9/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass
3/9/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title

Urging the General Assembly of Pennsylvania to pass House Bill 1462, introduced by Rep. Gabig of Cumberland County, which would require all local officials to share DNA samples of missing persons with the state police.

Body

WHEREAS, Under this bill, Law enforcement agencies, coroners and medical examiners shall, with respect to unidentified deceased persons (including children), have to make an entry into the Unidentified Deceased Person file through the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN); and

WHEREAS, This will be in accordance with Pennsylvania State Police policy and procedures immediately upon observing or receiving any descriptive information or an unidentified deceased person; and

WHEREAS, Under this bill the Pennsylvania State Police duties will include, to develop a model kit to take and receive DNA samples and items submitted from parents, relatives and other appropriate persons, to conduct DNA analysis of samples and items submitted including nuclear and mitochondrial DNA typing and finally notifying the submitting law enforcement agency when a missing person is located or identified utilizing DNA; and

WHEREAS, Recent missing persons’ cases such as those involving Latoya Figueroa, Natalee Holloway, Bobby Borschell, LaToyia Bird and  Unisha “Neciey” Jefferson have generated National and Local attention including various news reports and new and pending legislation;

WHEREAS, On September 22, 2005, the Council of the City of Philadelphia declared the week of October 29^th thru November 4^th as Philadelphia Missing Persons Awareness Week and on November 5, 2005 held the first Missing Person Awareness Conference; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has over 500 missing person reports (400 Juvenile and 100 adults) and the Medical Examiner office currently has 12 unidentified bodies; and

WHEREAS, With the attention of high profile cases, the Philadelphia Missing Persons Conference and testimony given in City Council committee hearings the City of Philadelphia has begun to update and upgrade their current systems and communication between departments; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That this legislative body urges the General Assembly of Pennsylvania to pass House Bill 1462, introduced by Rep. Gabig of Cumberland County, which would require all local officials to share DNA samples of missing persons with the state police.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be sent to the leadership of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for their consideration

End