Oppose SB 912: Protect Privacy and Due Process

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill 912, which seeks to expand DNA collection to include individuals arrested for or charged with certain offenses, including juveniles. This proposed legislation represents a massive and unwarranted expansion of genetic surveillance that violates fundamental constitutional principles. Our current law already allows for DNA collection from individuals convicted of hundreds of crimes. SB 912, however, would extend this invasive practice to those who are merely arrested or charged—individuals who are presumed innocent under the law. This violates due process, protection from unreasonable searches, and the right to privacy that we hold dear as Pennsylvanians and Americans. It's crucial to understand that DNA is far more revealing than fingerprints. It contains intimate genetic information that goes well beyond simple identification. Collecting this data from individuals who have not been convicted of any crime is a gross overreach of government power and a violation of personal privacy. Furthermore, this bill would likely have a disproportionate impact on communities of color. Given the well-documented issues of over-policing and higher arrest rates in these communities, SB 912 would exacerbate existing racial disparities in our criminal justice system. The proposed expansion is not only constitutionally problematic but also impractical. It would be costly to implement and would likely overwhelm Pennsylvania's already strained forensic DNA caseload, potentially worsening existing backlogs. I urge you to vote against SB 912. Instead, I ask that you focus on criminal justice reforms that protect civil liberties, ensure due process, and address racial disparities in our system. We need policies that strengthen our communities and uphold our constitutional values, not ones that erode our fundamental rights. Your opposition to this bill is crucial in safeguarding the privacy and presumption of innocence for all Pennsylvanians, especially our youth. Please stand against this unwarranted expansion of genetic surveillance and vote NO on SB 912.