Several schools in Texas are asking parents if they want their child’s DNA to be stored on file to make it easier to identify them in an emergency.
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Testing kits were distributed to K-8 students to take home for parents to administer in the case of a deadly situation such as a school shooting or any other event. According to the Daily Mail, parents can give police an identification card during the crisis so their child can be easily identified. The decision comes from a 2021 bill, titled SB-2158, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, which was intended to help find missing or trafficked children.
The kits include an inkless fingerprint, a saliva sample, and a section where a parent describes their child’s physical features. However, the kits are optional but will be distributed by the schools starting this week.
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A letter from the Houston Independent School District was issued to parents and reminded them that the tests are optional.
‘But they must be informed by your institution that the available kits will allow them to have a set of their child’s fingerprints and DNA in that they can turn over to law enforcement in case of an emergency.’
In May, parents issued their children’s DNA samples to help identify the children killed during the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Five of those families were informed that their children were victims of the shooting.
However, some parents have opposed the testing kit idea as it paints a grim picture of the recent school shooting. Social media also reacted to the idea and some users opposed the idea as well.
Abbott is sending DNA testing kits to Texas schools so if your child is massacred during a school shooting they will be able to identify your child in a more “speedy” fashion.
Abbott is a sick and twisted man. He still insists that 18 yo kids should have full access to AR-15’s
— TheBuzz3203 (@TheBuzz3203) October 18, 2022
Rather then restricting gun ownership, raising teachers salaries, NOT banning books. Texas leadership spends money on fucking DNA testing kits for the kids that will die in the future? I’m also assuming itll be used against trans kids as well.
— Marisa (@marisa_tavera) October 17, 2022
Yes! But where is the AMA, youth sport leagues, NCCA & professional women sports leagues in denouncing THIS!
THIS FL’s ruling was the testing gateway for Texas school s to doing the DNA testing kits. Small erosion of privacy on kids— Winter Storm (@AShoutOutfromMN) October 17, 2022