~ Washington state may require DNA testing ~

Washington State is awaiting the Governor's signature on a bill that will require law enforcement agencies to preserve DNA evidence for future testing. It has some favorable provisions for the convicted.

- Eliminates the dates and deadlines established for convicted persons to request postconviction deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing.
- Requires requests for postconviction DNA testing to be submitted directly to the courts instead of the Office of Public Defense (OPD) and the county prosecutor's office.
- Provides for indigent persons to obtain legal counsel in order to prepare and present a motion for postconviction DNA testing.
- Requires all biological material secured in connection with a criminal case to be preserved for a length of time as defined by the court.