Wyoming Legislature Defeats “Katie’s Law” Legislation

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Senate has shot down a bill that would have required DNA testing of people charged with a felony.

Bill sponsor Cheyenne Republican Sen. Leslie Nutting originally had proposed DNA testing for people upon their arrest on a felony charge. The bill was amended in committee to specify that the testing would be allowed only once the person was charged in court.

Republican Sen. Drew Perkins of Casper spoke against the bill on Monday. He noted that people have a constitutional right against unreasonable government searches and seizures.

The bill is called "Katie's Law" — named in memory of Kathryn Sepich, a New Mexico State University student murdered in 2003 and whose killer was identified with DNA evidence after he was convicted of another crime.