COLUMBIA, S.C. - A bill that would expand the state's DNA database to include anyone convicted of a felony was given final approval in the House on Wednesday.

South Carolina currently requires all those convicted of violent crimes and sex-related crimes to submit DNA for storage at the State Law Enforcement Division lab.

"This legislation will tremendously assist law enforcement with solving major crimes, and will exonerate the innocent in certain instances," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Doug Jennings, D-Bennettsville.

SLED Chief Robert Stewart said he supported the all-felons database.

"South Carolina will now be on par with most states in this regard," Stewart said.

Thirty-one states have laws requiring DNA from all convicted felons, Jennings said.

The bill needs to be ratified in the Senate before it heads to the Gov. Mark Sanford's desk.