DOVER, Del.— Delaware lawmakers are eyeing legislation requiring people who have been arrested for, but not convicted of, certain crimes to submit to DNA testing.
Under current law, a person convicted of a felony, sexual offense, or offense involving a child or vulnerable adult must submit to DNA testing. Results are stored in a database used by law enforcement as a “crime-solving” tool.
A Republican-sponsored bill that cleared a House committee Wednesday requires DNA testing of anyone merely arrested for any violent felony, sexual offense or offense involving a child or vulnerable.
The attorney general’s office and American Civil Liberties Union have raised concerns about the bill, which will likely be amended before any vote in the House.
