Bill > S80

This bill, known as the SAFER Act of 2013, amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to address sexual assault evidence backlogs by providing funding for audits of this evidence and establishing a system for reporting on its status. Specifically, it allows for Debbie Smith grants to be used for auditing sexual assault evidence that is awaiting testing, requiring states and local governments to submit plans for these audits and to estimate the number of samples involved. The bill mandates that a portion of these grant funds be allocated for these audits, while also establishing strict conditions for grant recipients, including completing audits within a year and reporting detailed information every 60 days on the number of samples awaiting testing, those determined not to need testing, those submitted for analysis, those for which analysis is complete, and those that will be barred by the statute of limitations within 12 months. These reports will be made publicly available online, with personally identifiable information redacted. The bill also introduces protocols and technical assistance for the collection and processing of DNA evidence, aiming for timely and effective handling, and requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on grant awards and the status of sexual assault evidence processing. Furthermore, it enhances oversight and accountability for grant recipients, including audits to prevent waste and fraud, and imposes penalties for non-compliance, such as excluding recipients with unresolved audit findings from future grants.