Get booked by police on a serious charge and expect to get fingerprinted, get a mug shot and, perhaps, a DNA sample.
The House has given preliminary approval to HCS HB 152 , which would expand the state DNA profiling system.
Some critics in the House expressed concern about the government compiling excessive DNA evidence and keeping DNA samples even if a suspect is found not guilty at trial.
Rep. Trent Skaggs (D-Kansas City) pressed Rep. Bryan Stevenson (R-Joplin) on how far government can reach. Skaggs told Stevenson the bill would create a system in which an innocent person’s DNA is kept by the government. Stevenson responded that the DNA sample would set the innocent person free. Under an amendment he sponsored, the DNA sample would be kept if the person is charged with a crime; destroyed if the charges are dropped.
Supporters said that the DNA samples collected on some crimes can lead to breaks in other crimes. They add that DNA evidence has also led to prisoners being exonerated for their crimes and set free.
Sponsor Marilyn Ruestman, a Republican from Joplin, said concerns about fighting sexual assault should outweigh worries about civil rights.
"These young women that we’re talking about, we’re going to save their lives in the next few months when we pass this legislation," Ruestman told colleagues during floor debate.
The bill needs to clear one more vote to move to the Senate.
Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)
