OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Anyone arrested for a felony crime and certain misdemeanors would be forced to submit a DNA sample under a bill approved by a Senate committee.
Read the full bill here.
The Senate Public Safety Committee on Thursday unanimously approved the bill by Republican Sen. Clark Jolley of Edmond.
The bill would require anyone arrested on a felony complaint to submit a DNA sample, even if charges aren't filed. The bill also applies to misdemeanor arrests for certain crimes, including drug possession, assault and battery and domestic abuse.
Under current law, a conviction is required before a DNA sample can be taken.
The Oklahoma chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is opposed to the measure, describing it as an "attempt to build a database with the DNA of innocent Oklahomans."
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