ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland House of Delegates has voted to maintain a much-debated state law that allows police to take DNA samples from arrestees without a warrant.

In 2009, the state began requiring people arrested for certain violent crimes to submit a DNA sample before going to trial. The U.S. Supreme Court heard a case challenging the law last month. The court has yet to rule.

The law was set to expire in December, but the House voted Thursday to extend it indefinitely. The bill now moves to the Senate.

Opponents say the law violates a person’s right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Supporters say DNA is an important law enforcement tool.

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