DNA Bill Draws Big Supporters - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

DNA Bill Draws Big Supporters

On Wednesday Ed and Lois Smart, parents of Elizabeth Smart, were in Cheyenne to support a bill on DNA testing for violent criminals.

Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her parent's Utah home in 2002. Months later she was found and returned. Now her parents are advocates for DNA testing to catch criminals like her kidnapper.

The legislation they're backing in Wyoming is House Bill 204, or Katie's Law. Several state's are considering the law named after a young girl from New Mexico who was kidnapped and killed ten years ago. DNA evidence led investigators to her killer.

Representative Ken Esquibel - (D) Laramie County - is the sponsor of House Bill 204. "It will collect DNA upon the arrest of violent felons. We're talking murders, sexual assaults, aggravated assaults, burglaries and stocking" he explains.

That's where some say the problem lies: taking DNA from people who are innocent until proven guilty.

The Wyoming American Civil Liberties Union says the bill is an invasion of people's privacy.

Katie's law is scheduled to be heard by the House's Judiciary Committee on Thursday.