The legislative session brought a familiar bill allowing for the collection of DNA from any person arrested for a crime of violence, which included larceny offenses such as pickpocketing. Under current law, DNA can only be collected from individuals convicted of certain felonies; to collect from individuals who have merely been arrested for a crime is a contradiction of the presumption of innocence, and a dangerous step towards creating a comprehensive DNA database. Additionally, collecting DNA from every individual arrested for a crime of violence would more than double the number of DNA samples the Department of Health must analyze, increasing the testing backlog from 3-6 months to approximately one year, potentially delaying justice in all those cases where DNA is a critical investigatory element. The Senate passed this legislation for the second year in a row, but it was sent back to committee before reaching the House floor. Read our written testimony.
DNA Testing of Arrestees (H 7056, S 2061)
Sponsors
Representative Brian Kennedy and Senator David Bates
Related Issues
Related content

ACLU and RWU Law School Clinic Sue Again Over ACI’s Failure to...
June 13, 2025
Equity Impact Statements (S 805)
June 2, 2025
Sentencing Reconsideration Act (S 930)
June 2, 2025
NEWSLETTER - 2025 - Spring
June 1, 2025
Criminalizing Resisting Correctional Officers (S 1073)
May 30, 2025
"Sexting" Prohibition Expansion (S 955)
May 16, 2025
Aggressive Driving as a Violation (S 556)
May 16, 2025
Impounding License Plates for Driving Offenses (S 214)
May 16, 2025