LAYTON — Utah Senator Stuart J. Adams, R-Layton, has received a national award for his work implementing a state law that requires suspects in violent crime-related arrests to provide DNA samples while in custody.
That law, which originated in SB-277 in 2010, passed with a 19-2 vote and was signed by the governor. Adams was its senate sponsor.
The DNA collection required by the law is not contingent upon conviction, and suspects are charged $150 for it. If suspects are acquitted or their court records expunged, they may request that their DNA records be destroyed.
The “Katie’s Hero Award,” which Stuart received, is given by the DNA Saves non-profit organization in Illinois.
“The enactment of SB277 will have a profound and lasting impact on public safety in Utah. Senator Adams’s leadership on this issue will result in getting many rapists and other violent criminals off the streets, and will prevent additional Utah residents from being needlessly victimized,” said Jayann Sepich, co-founder of the organization, in a press release.
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