108th CONGRESS
2d Session

H. R. 5107

To protect crime victims' rights, to eliminate the substantial backlog of DNA samples collected from crime scenes and convicted offenders, to improve and expand the DNA testing capacity of Federal, State, and local crime laboratories, to increase research and development of new DNA testing technologies, to develop new training programs regarding the collection and use of DNA evidence, to provide post-conviction testing of DNA evidence to exonerate the innocent, to improve the performance of counsel in State capital cases, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 21, 2004

Mr. SENSENBRENNER (for himself, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. COBLE, Mr. DELAHUNT, Ms. PRYCE of Ohio, Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. JENKINS, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. WEINER, Ms. HART, Mr. BACHUS, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. KELLER, and Mr. NADLER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary


A BILL

To protect crime victims' rights, to eliminate the substantial backlog of DNA samples collected from crime scenes and convicted offenders, to improve and expand the DNA testing capacity of Federal, State, and local crime laboratories, to increase research and development of new DNA testing technologies, to develop new training programs regarding the collection and use of DNA evidence, to provide post-conviction testing of DNA evidence to exonerate the innocent, to improve the performance of counsel in State capital cases, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

TITLE I--SCOTT CAMBELL, STEPHANIE ROPER, WENDY PRESTON, LOUARNA GILLIS, AND NILA LYNN CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS ACT

TITLE II--DEBBIE SMITH ACT OF 2004

TITLE III--DNA SEXUAL ASSAULT JUSTICE ACT OF 2004

TITLE IV--INNOCENCE PROTECTION ACT OF 2004

Subtitle A--Exonerating the innocent through DNA testing

Subtitle B--Improving the quality of representation in State capital cases

Subtitle C--Compensation for the wrongfully convicted

TITLE I--SCOTT CAMBELL, STEPHANIE ROPER, WENDY PRESTON, LOUARNA GILLIS, AND NILA LYNN CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS ACT

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

SEC. 102. CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS.

`CHAPTER 237--CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS

`Sec. 3771. Crime victims' rights

--3771'.

SEC. 103. INCREASED RESOURCES FOR ENFORCEMENT OF CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS.

`SEC. 1404D. CRIME VICTIMS LEGAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

`SEC. 1404E. CRIME VICTIMS NOTIFICATION GRANTS.

SEC. 104. REPORTS.

TITLE II--DEBBIE SMITH ACT OF 2004

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

SEC. 202. DEBBIE SMITH DNA BACKLOG GRANT PROGRAM.

`SEC. 2. THE DEBBIE SMITH DNA BACKLOG GRANT PROGRAM.';

SEC. 203. EXPANSION OF COMBINED DNA INDEX SYSTEM.

SEC. 204. TOLLING OF STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

`Sec. 3297. Cases involving DNA evidence

SEC. 205. LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE.

SEC. 206. ENSURING PRIVATE LABORATORY ASSISTANCE IN ELIMINATING DNA BACKLOG.

TITLE III--DNA SEXUAL ASSAULT JUSTICE ACT OF 2004

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

SEC. 302. ENSURING PUBLIC CRIME LABORATORY COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS.

SEC. 303. DNA TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL, AND COURT OFFICERS.

SEC. 304. SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAM PROGRAM GRANTS.

SEC. 305. DNA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

SEC. 306. NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE COMMISSION.

SEC. 307. FBI DNA PROGRAMS.

SEC. 308. DNA IDENTIFICATION OF MISSING PERSONS.

SEC. 309. ENHANCED CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OR USE OF DNA INFORMATION.

SEC. 310. TRIBAL COALITION GRANTS.

SEC. 311. EXPANSION OF PAUL COVERDELL FORENSIC SCIENCES IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM.

SEC. 312. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

TITLE IV--INNOCENCE PROTECTION ACT OF 2004

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

Subtitle A--Exonerating the Innocent Through DNA Testing

SEC. 411. FEDERAL POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING.

`CHAPTER 228A--POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING

`Sec. 3600. DNA testing

`Sec. 3600A. Preservation of biological evidence

--3600'.

SEC. 412. KIRK BLOODSWORTH POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING GRANT PROGRAM.

SEC. 413. INCENTIVE GRANTS TO STATES TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS OF ACTUAL INNOCENCE.

Subtitle B--Improving the Quality of Representation in State Capital Cases

SEC. 421. CAPITAL REPRESENTATION IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.

SEC. 422. CAPITAL PROSECUTION IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.

SEC. 423. APPLICATIONS.

SEC. 424. STATE REPORTS.

SEC. 425. EVALUATIONS BY INSPECTOR GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES.

SEC. 426. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Subtitle C--Compensation for the Wrongfully Convicted

SEC. 431. INCREASED COMPENSATION IN FEDERAL CASES FOR THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED.

SEC. 432. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING COMPENSATION IN STATE DEATH PENALTY CASES.

END