House Panel Moves Bill to Take DNA After Arrest

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The House Judiciary Committee has passed a bill that will require police to take DNA samples when they arrest people on felony charges. If the measure is approved by the full Legislature, Kentucky would join 25 other states that take DNA samples from felony arrestees.

The vote was unanimous and will proceed to the full House for consideration.

Jefferson Democrat Mary Lou Marzian, who sponsored the bill, says federal grant money would be available to help cover startup costs, which would be between $1.3 and $1.6 million. She did not offer a figure for the ongoing costs of such a program.

About 40,000 people are arrested on felony charges each year in Kentucky. The U.S. Supreme Court will consider this year the constitutionality of arrestee DNA testing.