The preservation of biological evidence in connection with criminal and juvenile delinquency matters

Summary

This bill would require any city agency that holds biological evidence (“custodial agency”), including the New York City Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, to preserve biological evidence related to criminal and juvenile delinquency investigations and cases. Custodial agencies would be required to preserve biological evidence for 100 years after collection, unless all individuals in custody or supervision as a result of the final adjudication of a case related to the biological evidence have been released or if all interested parties have been notified and do not object to destruction of the biological evidence. Custodial agencies would be required to preserve biological evidence in a manner and amount sufficient to create a DNA profile.

Summary from NYC Council (Legistar). How we handle summaries

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Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

Committee on Public Safety

Full history

1. Feb 12, 2026

   Introduced

   This Introduction was Introduced by Council

   NYC Council

2. Feb 12, 2026

   Referred to committee

   This Introduction was Referred to Comm by Council to the Committee on Public Safety

   NYC Council