Should New York State Require DNA Tests Be Sent To Parents Of Students?
If you're a parent, do you think New York State should require that DNA test kits be sent out for each child in public school? It kind of sounds like the beginning of a dystopian society, right? All children must submit to a DNA test and no one really knows why, but everyone suspects it's nothing good.
In this case, it's actually something that can help parents in emergencies, like if their child turns up missing. At least that's what the Texas legislature says. Texas passed a law requiring the DNA kits to be mailed to parents. The Texas kits cost about $10 each and are currently being mailed out to parents.
In 2021, the Texas State Legislature passed the law requiring the Texas Education Agency to provide inkless, in-home fingerprint and DNA identification kits to all public school systems in Texas. The thought behind the law is that if a school shooting or other emergency happens, parents already have their child's DNA readily available for authorities,
A parent or legal custodian who receives a fingerprint and DNA identification kit may submit the kit to federal, state, tribal, or local law enforcement to help locate and return a missing or trafficked child.
If you are a parent or guardian of a child here in New York, do you think this is something the New York State legislature should make into law? In Texas, parents have the choice to not use the kits and the kits do not get turned into any law enforcement agency until it is needed.