Bills Would Expand DNA Tests to Some Arrests, Not Just Convictions

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS/Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he supports proposals to require DNA testing for people arrested and charged with violent crimes such as murder.

Under current state law, DNA is collected only after someone is convicted.

Two similar bills are working their way through the legislative process, and Bryant says Tuesday that he wants to sign one into law.

Bryant says he believes the DNA testing will help solve crimes and could exonerate innocent people who are wrongly accused.

House Bill 68 passed the House on Monday, and Senate Bill 2430 passed the Senate Tuesday.

The two chambers will swap bills for more work.

A divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a Maryland case last summer that law officers can take DNA from anyone arrested for a serious crime.