March 19, 2012 Updated Mar 19, 2012 at 2:25 PM EDT

Albany, N.Y. (WKBW release) -- New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo joined by Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on Monday signed into law a historic bill that makes New York State the first "all crimes DNA" state in the nation, by requiring DNA samples be collected from anyone convicted of a felony or Penal Law misdemeanor.

According to a news release issued Monday:

In addition, the new law also significantly expands defendants' access to DNA testing and comparison both before and after conviction in appropriate circumstances, as well as to discovery after conviction where innocence is claimed.

Governor Cuomo introduced the DNA Databank expansion legislation as a centerpiece of his 2012 legislative agenda.

"I am proud to sign this bill today because this modern law enforcement tool will not only help us solve and prevent crimes but also exonerate the innocent," said Governor Andrew Cuomo. "The bottom line is that this is a tool that works, and will make the state safer for all New Yorkers. I thank Majority Leader Skelos, Speaker Silver, Senators Saland and Golden, and Assemblyman Lentol for their leadership on this issue."

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said: "Nothing is more important than ensuring the safety and security of our citizens. Today we are culminating our efforts to enact an all-crimes DNA databank expansion. Senate Republicans championed the creation of the DNA databank 18 years ago, and we successfully pushed to expand it four times, including legislation I sponsored in 2006 to include all felonies and 17 misdemeanors. With Governor Cuomos leadership, we are expanding it to include all crimes and enacting an historic criminal justice measure."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "I am proud to be part of this agreement which positions New York as a leader once again. New York is the first state to enact an all crimes DNA database. When a person is wrongly convicted, the real perpetrator remains free to potentially commit other crimes while an innocent person is unjustly punished. Furthermore, victims are given a false sense of security that the actual perpetrator has been incarcerated. We must now move forward to enact additional reforms that will enhance public safety and ensure that the real perpetrator is caught and that innocent people are not going to prison."

Senator Steve Saland, who sponsored the legislation, said: "The DNA databank expansion is particularly critical when studies show that persons who commit serious crimes have also often committed other crimes including lower-level misdemeanors. This law provides a powerful tool to bring closure to unsolved crimes and prevent further crimes from taking place, while providing a means by which a wrongfully convicted person can be exonerated, or a suspect eliminated. Working together, Governor Cuomo, the Senate, and the Assembly have succeeded in making New York a safer state."

Senator Martin Golden, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said: "This law will significantly improve New York State's crime fighting abilities. Through the collection of DNA samples of all persons convicted of felony offenses, and certain misdemeanors, we will help to prevent and solve crimes. By signing this bill into law, Governor Cuomo will add a critical measure of security and safety for all New Yorkers."

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Cuomo Signs Law to Expand New York's DNA Databank