One of the bills signed into law today by Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, is 'Katie's Law.' Missouri is the 21st state to adopt the legislation which requires a DNA sample to be taken from those arrested for certain felony crimes. Action 12's Dustin Lattimer show us how the new law works.

She's from Alaska, but Karen Foster made the trip to Jasper County today to see Governor Jay Nixon sign off on 'Katie's Law.' "The Surviving Parents Collation is making sure that all 50 states get on board and they all start collecting DNA on felony arrests. It's going to save lives, reduce crime and save the states lots of money," says Foster.

Karen's daughter, Bonnie, was murdered in 1994. Back then, DNA profiling wasn't around, and her accused killer was not captured until 2006. "Her killer has still not gone to trial and you know, if DNA on felony arrests would have been in place then, the trial and everything would have been over within three or four months," says Foster.

The new law, which goes into effect on August 28th, requires a DNA sample to be taken from those arrested for felony violent, sexual or burglary crimes. "What this DNA law will allow us to do is collect a DNA profile at the time of arrest. Currently in the state of Missouri, we can collect a DNA profile on any person who's convicted of a felony at the time of sentencing," says Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney, Dean Dankelson.

State Representative, Marilyn Ruestman, says the development of an enhanced DNA sampling program promises to lead to the identification of more suspects, and convict those responsible for rape or murder. "You know, we've looked at this thing inside and out and it's right, this is the right thing to do. It proves innocence as well as guilt," says Representative Ruestman.

Locally, the DNA will be sent to Springfield under the supervision of the Missouri Highway Patrol.