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Arizona bill could force you to give your DNA to a state database

A bill in the legislature would create a huge DNA database that would include people in dozens of professions.

PHOENIX — A bill introduced in the Arizona State Senate would create the largest DNA database in the country. 

SB 1475, introduced by Senator David Livingston, R-Peoria, would force a wide range of people to submit their DNA to the state to include in a database. 

Under the bill's language, anyone whose job requires fingerprinting, anyone who had to be fingerprinted by law, anyone given a court-ordered familial relationship test, and anyone who dies after the bill would go into effect would be required to submit DNA. 

According to the bill, the database would be secure but would be used for law enforcement purposes and "legitimate research." The bill does not specify what that means.

"We believe that collecting DNA sampled indiscriminately violates the Fourth Amendment," ACLU of Arizona policy director Darrell Hill said. "It violates people's right to privacy. It violates people's right to have their information protected."

Livingston did not respond to requests for comment about his bill.

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