Bill requiring DNA samples passes House easily

The bill known as “Katie’s Law” — which would require DNA samples taken from adults arrested on felony charges — met no resistance on the House floor Monday, passing the chamber 65-0 .

HB130, named after New Mexico State University graduate student Kathryn “Katie” Sepich, who was raped and killed in 2003, now goes to the Senate, where even opponents, including Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen , and Peter Simonson, state director of the American Civil Liberties Union, expect it to pass.

“This bright, beautiful young woman — with her whole future ahead of her — had her life snuffed out,” Rep. John Heaton, D-Carlsbad , said of Katie Sepich, whose slaying remains unsolved.

Heaton, who sponsored the bill, repeated the arguments of Sepich’s parents, who have led the effort in testifying and lobbying for the bill.

“We were not using the most powerful , scientific, fact-finding and identification capability we have to its fullest advantage, and that is DNA fingerprinting ,” Heaton said.

The House’s actions quickly were praised by Gov. Bill Richardson and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

“This bill is an important measure that will help law enforcement solve crimes and keep New Mexicans safer,” Richardson said in a written statement. “It sends a clear message that New Mexico is tough on crime, and if you break the law, we will do everything we can to find and prosecute you.

A statement from Denish said, “Much like how fingerprinting revolutionized crime fighting a generation ago, acquiring DNA samples from all felony arrests gives law enforcement an invaluable tool to help bring the guilty to justice while exonerating the innocent.”

The bill would expand the current law, in which DNA samples are taken from convicted felons.

Sepich’s mother, Jayann Sepich, has stressed that the bill would save lives by identifying murderers and rapists before they claim many victims.

The DNA samples would be put in a state database, and could be compared to evidence collected from victims and at crime scenes.

Opponents such as the ACLU and defense lawyers have said the bill represents further erosion of constitutional liberties and say it could overburden the state’s DNA database.

But Sanchez said last week that he thinks the bill has enough votes in the Senate to pass. A similar Senate bill squeaked through the Senate Judiciary Committee, but supporters say most of the bill’s opponents sit on that panel.

“It’s a pretty personal bill to a lot of people,” Sanchez told reporters Friday. The bill is an emotional one, he said. “Sometimes it’s hard to stay on track when you’re looking at that kind of bill.”

Simonson said he expects the bill to pass the Legislature, but expects it to be challenged in court. The ACLU in California has filed a federal lawsuit over a similar provision of that state’s DNA law. The case is pending.