DNA Testing of Arrestees (H 7186, S 2138)

House and Senate committees heard testimony  on dangerous legislation requiring the collection of DNA samples from any person arrested for a felony. Furthermore, if the arrestee is not convicted, the burden of having the sample expunged from a DNA database rests on the arrestee. The legislation undercuts the fundamental presumption of innocence underlying our criminal justice system, and its passage would mark an inevitable step towards creation of a national DNA database on every person. The Urban League of RI, the Public Defender and others also testified against the legislation, but bill sponsors are pushing for its passage. Read our testimony.