A bill that would allow the state to collect DNA samples from convicted felons after their second arrest passed the House 127 to 20 shortly before midnight.
Rep. Ernie Hewett who championed the issue said he worked hard to amend the bill in order to appease lawmakers concerned it would violate an individuals privacy rights. Instead of taking the sample after the first felony conviction the bill allows DNA to be taken from individuals on their second felony conviction.
Hewett argued the bill will help exonerate the falsely accused of crimes.
Many of his conservative colleagues agreed and said they were pleased with the initial legislation that allowed DNA to be taken after the arrest of an individual for a felony. If that individual was exonerated they would be allowed to have their DNA expunged from the system.
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