LANSING, MI (AP)-- A Michigan Senate committee is considering a series of bills that would expand DNA collection to include all people arrested on suspicion of a felony charge.
The bills were taken up by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. Lawton Republican Senator Tonya Schuitmaker says the expansion would "solve crimes and save lives." Schuitmaker introduced the bills last month.
The American Civil Liberties Union says putting people in a DNA database before they're convicted of a crime could violate their legal rights and overburden the state's identification system.
Michigan currently requires the collection of DNA samples at arrest on suspicion of violent felonies, like murder.
State police legislative liaison Sgt. Dwayne Gill says he's confident police can handle the increased workload.
