Delaware County senator proposes expanded DNA testing

    Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi has advanced a bill that would expand crime-related DNA testing in Pennsylvania. The Chester Republican supports testing after a suspect’s preliminary hearing instead of post conviction.

     

    Testing would expand to those facing a felony charge or more than a half-dozen misdemeanors for crimes like indecent assault, unlawful restraint and child luring, the Delaware County Times reports. Nearly half the states in the nation have similar laws. The bill would also address the current backlog of tests in the system.

    But the Pennsylvania ACLU says the bill violates the privacy of those accused of crimes, calling it a “fishing expedition.”

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