STATEHOUSE (Feb. 6, 2012) — A bill authored by State Sens. Tom Wyss (R-Fort. Wayne) and Joe Zakas (R-Granger) to protect Hoosier communities from crime passed the Senate Judiciary Committee today with a vote of 5-2.

Senate Bill 245 would require a person arrested for specific serious felonies to supply the police with a DNA sample, which can be collected in seconds with a mouth swab. Current law only takes DNA samples from people convicted of felonies.

“DNA is one of the most accurate ways to prove a person innocent or guilty,” Wyss said. “Because of that, a database of DNA samples will help law enforcement stay one step ahead of repeat offenders and create a safer Indiana.”

The bill also states that if the person arrested is acquitted of all charges, a conviction is reversed or the case is dismissed, the person can request to have his or her DNA erased from the state’s records.

SB 245 now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.

To learn more about how laws similar to SB 245 have helped solve crimes in other states, visit katieslaw.org.