Your Legislators: Schroeder Sponsors 'Katie's Law'

During yesterday's meeting of the various Assembly Committees, District 39 Assemblyman Robert Schroeder (R) of Woodcliff Lake along with District 5 Assemblyman Angel Fuentes (D) introduced bill A3763 aka "Katie's Law."

The bill, named after Katie Sepich, a New Mexico State University student who was murdered in 2003, expands the DNA database to include samples from certain arrestees.

The original Katie's Law was enacted in 2006 in New Mexico, three years after her death. Even though traces of DNA were discovered underneath her fingernails, the identity of her killer was not known until three years after her death. At the time of her murder, suspects who were arrested in New Mexico did not have to provide a DNA sample.Gabriel Avila is currently serving a  69-year prison sentence.

The following states have already enacted versions of Katie's Law: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Flordia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont.

In other legislative news:

District 38 State Senator Bob Gordon and his wife Gail will serve as the chairpersons for the third annual Community Options’ Cupid’s Chase 5K Run in Glen Rock, Saturday, Feb. 12. The Community Options is a national nonprofit organization that assists those with disabilities and their families. Registration for the 5K begins at 8 a.m. at 390 Doremus Avenue in Glen Rock. The race begins at 10 a.m. A fee of $20 is required for each participant. 

Friday afternoon U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg will host an exhibit recognizing African American artists in the state. The art exhibit which will take place at the One Gallery at One Gateway Center in Newark marks the start of African American History Month. The event also honors the work of Marshall Jones III and The Crossroads Theatre Company in New Brunswick, which is the only African American theater company in New Jersey.