OLYMPIA — A measure that would expand the state’s collection of DNA samples from people convicted of crimes passed the Senate with an unanimous vote on Friday, as part of a package of bills targeting sex offenders.
The bill would add a list of new crimes — such as soliciting a prostitute and stalking — that could prompt DNA collection by authorities. The measure now heads to the House.
A House version of the bill died after defense lawyers and civil libertarians raised some privacy worries, saying that the measure went too far. In the House bill, a person’s DNA could have been collected after convictions for second-degree animal cruelty or simple assault.
The Senate bill’s sponsor, Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, amended her bill to narrow the scope of crimes, while still keeping crimes she said can be “precursors” leading to sex crimes.
Currently, the state can collect DNA samples from people convicted of a long list of felonies that include first-degree perjury and arson. Nationwide, 45 states collect DNA samples from a person convicted of a felony.
Other measures passed Friday by the Senate included a bill that would create a permanent board that would oversee policy in sex offender cases, and a measure that would limit computer access by sex offenders in prison.
Meanwhile, the House passed a measure requiring registered sex and kidnapping offenders to submit information regarding any e-mail addresses and any Web sites they create or operate. The bill passed unanimously and now goes to the Senate.
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