President Obama signs Katie's Law

KRQE TV

Updated: Jan 10, 2013 4:20 PM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) — Legislation named after a slain New Mexico State University student was signed into law by President Obama Thursday.

The Katie Sepich enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2012 creates incentives for states if they implement programs to collect DNA from people arrested or charged with serious crimes.

In most states DNA is only collected if a person is convicted.
    
Katie Sepich was raped and murdered in 2003.    
    
At the time New Mexico did not collect DNA from felony arrests and her killer, Gabriel Avila, was not identified until three years later when he was convicted of another crime.
 

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