Last year, the legislature passed a law that requires law enforcement officials to collect DNA samples upon arrest. As I wrote, this was problematic due to the incredible privacy implications associated with DNA samples and because the DNA wasn’t being collected from those convicted but from those who had been arrested (many of whom turn out to be innocent). It violates the principle of innocent before proven guilty. The DNA goes into a central database for the government’s use and potential abuse.
The law restricted the collection of DNA for certain felonies. Now, a proposed bill (HB 483) would expand the list of felonies. Before this already disconcerting DNA program is in place, some lawmakers want to expand it–this is just the start of what to expect when you give the government the power to collect inappropriate information on fellow citizens, including innocent people.
