OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The number of DNA samples collected by Oklahoma for the state's database could increase by 10,000 per year under a bill approved by a state House committee.
Oklahoma district attorneys could collect the samples from parolees under the bill approved Wednesday by the House Criminal Justice Committee on a 12-0 vote. The bill now goes to the full House.
Defendants convicted of certain crimes are required to provide samples to the state DNA database. Most samples are taken by prison officials, leaving those convicted but sentenced to parole often omitted.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation estimates the bill by Republican Rep. Lee Denney of Cushing could increase the number of samples submitted to the OSBI for processing by up to 10,000 per year.