Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the signing of Assembly Bill 3042 (AB 3042) into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D – Elk Grove), extends the sunset date on Proposition 69, known as the “DNA Fingerprint, Unsolved Crime and Innocence Protection Act.” This extension ensures continued funding for essential forensic DNA services through criminal fines.

Attorney General Bonta expressed his satisfaction with the new law: “I am very proud of the important work that is done in our Bureau of Forensic Services and will continue to be done thanks to this new law. The Bureau receives crucial funding through Proposition 69, and AB 3024 will ensure that Proposition 69 remains in place to support our efforts to solve crime through forensic services. I want to thank Assemblymember Nguyen, our legislative partners and Governor Newsom for their work toward this important goal.”

Assemblymember Nguyen also commented on the significance of AB 3042: “I would never feel safe knowing someone who has harmed me or my loved ones are still out there. I am proud to author AB 3042 in collaboration with Attorney General Bonta to continue key funding to better support public safety in our communities as well as exonerating the innocent.”

Proposition 69 was approved by voters in November 2004. It directs funds from criminal fines towards the CAL-DNA Data Bank program, which aids in solving violent crimes using the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Additionally, it helps identify missing and unidentified persons, including abducted children, through separate Missing Person CODIS databases. Over two decades, DOJ has received more than $74 million from Prop. 69.

However, Proposition 69 included a sunset date that would end funding collection after twenty years. AB 3042 extends this sunset date to provide a steady revenue source outside of the General Fund for state and local DNA testing programs.

The bill received support from several organizations including California Association of Crime Laboratory Directors, California District Attorneys Association, California State Sheriffs' Association, Kern County Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The text of the legislation is available online.