Bill > S820

This bill reauthorizes and strengthens the Debbie Smith Act of 2004, which provides grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to process DNA evidence from rape kits. Specifically, it reauthorizes funding for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, grants for DNA training and education, and the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program through fiscal year 2024. The bill also requires the National Institute of Justice to define clear, measurable goals for the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction program and establish appropriate controls to address conflicts of interest and lobbying. Additionally, it mandates regular reports from the Government Accountability Office on the effectiveness of the grant program and DNA analysis workloads.