Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, signs into law five bills aimed at protecting the public and promoting law enforcement.

The Governor stopped at the Highway Patrol's satellite office in Carthage this afternoon for the signing. One of the five bills is known as 'Katie's Law.' It requires a DNA sample to be taken from individuals arrested for felony violent, sexual or crimes related to theft.

Another bill signed includes 'The Child Witness Protection Act.' It will allow a judge to make certain allowances to protect children who take the stand as witnesses. "All of these issues are intertwined and strongly related. Protecting the people of Missouri and providing a safe place to raise our families is the most important thing we do in government. The actions we take on these issues sends a message as where we stand as a society," says Nixon.

Other bills signed by Governor Nixon today place stricter sentencing on those accused of crimes against children. One of them also makes it a violation to text while driving in the state of Missouri if you are under 21-years-old.