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H.R. 510 (115th): Rapid DNA Act of 2017

The text of the bill below is as of Aug 3, 2017 (Passed Congress).

Summary of this bill

Rapid DNA is a new technique that can analyze DNA samples in about 90 minutes, instead of days or even weeks as it took previously. A bill that passed the Senate and House last week would expand the use of this technology.

What the bill does

The Rapid DNA Act establishes a system for Rapid DNA’s nationwide coordination among law enforcement departments, by connecting it to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System.

Labelled S. 139 in the Senate and H.R. 510 in the House, the legislation was introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI5).

Former FBI Director James Comey cited a real-life example of how the …


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One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of America

At the First Session

H. R. 510

AN ACT

To establish a system for integration of Rapid DNA instruments for use by law enforcement to reduce violent crime and reduce the current DNA analysis backlog.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Rapid DNA Act of 2017.

2.

Rapid DNA instruments

(a)

Standards

Section 210303(a) of the DNA Identification Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14131(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(5)
(A)

In addition to issuing standards as provided in paragraphs (1) through (4), the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall issue standards and procedures for the use of Rapid DNA instruments and resulting DNA analyses.

(B)

In this Act, the term Rapid DNA instruments means instrumentation that carries out a fully automated process to derive a DNA analysis from a DNA sample.

.

(b)

Index

Paragraph (2) of section 210304(b) of the DNA Identification Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14132(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows:

(2)

prepared by—

(A)

laboratories that—

(i)

have been accredited by a nonprofit professional association of persons actively involved in forensic science that is nationally recognized within the forensic science community; and

(ii)

undergo external audits, not less than once every 2 years, that demonstrate compliance with standards established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; or

(B)

criminal justice agencies using Rapid DNA instruments approved by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in compliance with the standards and procedures issued by the Director under section 210303(a)(5); and

.

3.

Conforming amendments relating to collection of DNA identification information

(a)

From certain Federal offenders

Section 3 of the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14135a) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following: The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation may waive the requirements under this subsection if DNA samples are analyzed by means of Rapid DNA instruments and the results are included in CODIS.; and

(2)

in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:

(3)

The term Rapid DNA instruments means instrumentation that carries out a fully automated process to derive a DNA analysis from a DNA sample.

.

(b)

From certain District of Columbia offenders

Section 4 of the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14135b) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following: The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation may waive the requirements under this subsection if DNA samples are analyzed by means of Rapid DNA instruments and the results are included in CODIS.; and

(2)

in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:

(3)

The term Rapid DNA instruments means instrumentation that carries out a fully automated process to derive a DNA analysis from a DNA sample.

.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.