Arizona Bill Would Charge Residents $250 to Have Their DNA Put in Database

Bill 1475 was introduced by Republican Senator David Livingston.

February 20, 2019 11:20 am
A photo taken on January 24, 2018 shows lab tecnicians demonstrating DNA testing at the Puntland Forensic Center in Garowe, Puntland State, Somalia. - The first Forensic Center in Somalia, partly funded by the Swedish government and supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), brings advanced DNA testing capabilities to a country still lacking in paved roads and reliable electricity. The hope is that the DNA sample will help convict the woman's rapist, ushering in a new era of justice for the victims of Somalia's widespread sexual violence. (Photo by Mohamed ABDIWAHAB / AFP)        (Photo credit should read MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/Getty Images)
A photo taken on January 24, 2018 shows lab tecnicians demonstrating DNA testing at the Puntland Forensic Center in Garowe, Puntland State, Somalia. - The first Forensic Center in Somalia, partly funded by the Swedish government and supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), brings advanced DNA testing capabilities to a country still lacking in paved roads and reliable electricity. The hope is that the DNA sample will help convict the woman's rapist, ushering in a new era of justice for the victims of Somalia's widespread sexual violence. (Photo by Mohamed ABDIWAHAB / AFP) (Photo credit should read MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images

A new bill proposed in Arizona would ask applicants for certain jobs to provide a sample of their DNA to the state and pay a $250 processing fee.

Introduced by Republican Senator David Livingston, Bill 1475 would apply to anyone in Arizona who is required to be fingerprinted for a government job.

That means everyone from teachers to police officers to day care workers, would need to submit their DNA and fingerprints to be stored in a database maintained by the Department of Public Safety.

Along with the DNA and fingerprints, the database would also include the person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth and last known address. 

The bill would also authorize the county medical examiner’s offices to take DNA from any bodies that come into their possession to add to the database.

As for the collected DNA data, it would be accessed by law enforcement for use in a criminal investigation or provided to someone conducting “legitimate research.”

According to the Arizona Republic, “it could also be shared with other government agencies across the country for licensing, death registration, to identify a missing person or to determine someone’s real name.”

Under current Arizona law, DNA is collected from anyone convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor sex crime.

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