Senate Passes Bill Requiring Indicted Defendants To Submit DNA Samples

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JOHNS CREEK, GA -- The Georgia State Senate on Monday passed Senate Bill 77, a bill that would require the collection and analysis of DNA samples of convicted felons or those under indictment for serious offenses.

The legislation passed Feb. 29 by a vote of 42-4.

State Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) sponsored the legislation, which he said is designed to “make local communities and our state safer.”

“Safety of our citizens is a top priority, and I will do all that I can to ensure we are moving in the right direction to keep serious offenders off our streets,” he added.

S.B. 77 establishes a timeline and procedure guideline for the DNA collection process. DNA samples may be collected by oral swab or noninvasive procedures.

This legislation requires DNA samples from individuals indicted for a “serious offense,” which include serious violent felonies and 12 other criminal offenses.

Those 12 offenses include false imprisonment, aggravated assault, sodomy, statutory rape, child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, sexual assault, incest, sexual battery, burglary, robbery and sexual exploitation of children.

These individuals must provide their DNA as a condition of bail or pretrial release.

The legislation also states that those currently serving a sentence in a detention facility or those who are under probation or parole provide a DNA sample as well. An individual whose DNA has been collected can request an expungement under certain circumstances, the bill states.

SB 77 will now go to the Georgia House of Representatives for consideration.

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Image via Georgia State Senate