H.R. 5981

DNA Expansion and Improvement Act of 2008

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I

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5981

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 6, 2008

Mr. Weiner introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To reauthorize certain DNA-related grant programs under the Justice For All Act of 2004, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the DNA Expansion and Improvement Act of 2008.

2.

DNA technology enhancement grants

(a)

In general

The Attorney General shall establish a grant program under which the Attorney General may make grants to States and units of local government to purchase forensic DNA technology or to improve such technology.

(b)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to carry out subsection (a).

3.

Reauthorization and improvement of Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program; priority to applications for use of funds by certain crime laboratories

(a)

Reauthorization and improvement

Section 2 of the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14135) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(6)

To pay the salaries of employees of DNA criminal laboratories.

; and

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (6), by striking at the end and;

(B)

in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(8)

provide assurances that the State or unit of local government has implemented, or will implement not later than 180 days after the date of such application, a process under which the State or unit, respectively, provides for the collection for purposes of inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of DNA samples from all felons who are imprisoned in a prison of such State or unit, respectively (including all felons imprisoned in such prison or unit, respectively, as of the date of the enactment of the DNA Expansion and Improvement Act of 2008).

.

(3)

by amending subsection (j) to read as follows:

(j)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General for grants under subsection (a)—

(1)

$151,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and

(2)

$200,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

.

(b)

Priority established

Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following:

(n)

Priority

In making grants under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall give priority to applications submitted under subsection (b) that demonstrate funds from such a grant will be used for crime laboratories with demonstrated training and personnel needs.

.

(c)

Effective date

The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) and by subsection (b) shall apply to grants made on or after January 1, 2009.

4.

Clarification relating to incentive grants

Section 413 of the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14136 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:

Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the Attorney General of a State (or other Chief Legal Officer of the State) to approve an application of an eligible entity in order for such entity to receive funds as described in the previous sentence.

.

5.

Reauthorizations of certain DNA-related grant programs

(a)

DNA training and education for law enforcement, correctional personnel, and court officers

Section 303(b) of the Justice For All Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 14136(b)) is amended by striking 2009 and inserting 2014.

(b)

Sexual assault forensic exam program grants

Section 304(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 14136a(c)) is amended by striking 2009 and inserting 2014.

(c)

DNA research and development

Section 305(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 14136b(c)) is amended by striking 2009 and inserting 2014.

(d)

Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grant Program

Section 412(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 14136e(b)) is amended by striking 2009 and inserting 2014.

(e)

DNA identification of missing persons

Section 308(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 14136d(c)) is amended by striking 2009 and inserting 2014.