The Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program

34 U.S.C. § 40701
in effect
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(a) Authorization of grantsThe Attorney General may make grants to eligible States or units of local government for use by the State or unit of local government for the following purposes:(1) To carry out, for inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, DNA analyses of samples collected under applicable legal authority. (2) To carry out, for inclusion in such Combined DNA Index System, DNA analyses of samples from crime scenes, prioritizing, to the extent practicable consistent with public safety considerations 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma. samples from rape kits, samples from other sexual assault evidence, and samples taken in cases without an identified suspect. (3) To increase the capacity of laboratories owned by the State or by units of local government to carry out DNA analyses of samples specified in paragraph (1) or (2). (4) To collect DNA samples specified in paragraph (1). (5) To ensure that DNA testing and analysis of samples from crimes, including sexual assault and other serious violent crimes, are carried out in a timely manner. (6) Repealed. Pub. L. 113–4, title X, § 1006, Mar. 7, 2013, 127 Stat. 134. (7) To conduct an audit consistent with subsection (n) of the samples of sexual assault evidence that are in the possession of the State or unit of local government and are awaiting testing. (8) To ensure that the collection and processing of DNA evidence by law enforcement agencies from crimes, in particular, sexual assault and other violent crimes against persons, is carried out in an appropriate and timely manner and in accordance with the protocols and practices developed under subsection (o)(1). (9) To increase the capacity of State and local prosecution offices to address the backlog of violent crime cases in which suspects have been identified through DNA evidence. (b) EligibilityFor a State or unit of local government to be eligible to receive a grant under this section, the chief executive officer of the State or unit of local government shall submit to the Attorney General an application in such form and containing such information as the Attorney General may require. The application shall, as required by the Attorney General—(1) provide assurances that the State or unit of local government has implemented, or will implement not later than 120 days after the date of such application, a comprehensive plan for the expeditious DNA analysis of samples in accordance with this section; (2) include a certification that each DNA analysis carried out under the plan shall be maintained pursuant to the privacy requirements described in section 12592(b)(3) of this title; (3) include a certification that the State or unit of local government has determined, by statute, rule, or regulation, those offenses under State law that shall be treated for purposes of this section as qualifying State offenses; (4) specify the allocation that the State or unit of local government shall make, in using grant amounts to carry out DNA analyses of samples, as between samples specified in subsection (a)(1) and samples specified in subsection (a)(2); (5) specify that portion of grant amounts that the State or unit of local government shall use for the purpose specified in subsection (a)(3); (6) if submitted by a unit of local government, certify that the unit of local government has taken, or is taking, all necessary steps to ensure that it is eligible to include, directly or through a State law enforcement agency, all analyses of samples for which it has requested funding in the Combined DNA Index System; (7) specify that portion of grant amounts that the State or unit of local government shall use for the purpose specified in subsection (a)(4); and (8) provide assurances that the DNA section of the laboratory to be used to conduct DNA analyses has a written policy that prioritizes the analysis of, to the extent practicable consistent with public safety considerations, samples from homicides and sexual assaults. (c) Formula for distribution of grants(1) In generalThe Attorney General shall distribute grant amounts, and establish appropriate grant conditions under this section, in conformity with a formula or formulas that are designed to effectuate a distribution of funds among eligible States and units of local government that—(A) maximizes the effective utilization of DNA technology to solve crimes and protect public safety; and (B) allocates grants among eligible entities fairly and efficiently to address jurisdictions in which significant backlogs exist, by considering—(i) the number of offender and casework samples awaiting DNA analysis in a jurisdiction; (ii) the population in the jurisdiction; and (iii) the number of part 1 violent crimes in the jurisdiction. (2) Minimum amountThe Attorney General shall allocate to each State not less than 0.50 percent of the total amount appropriated in a fiscal year for grants under this section, except that the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands shall each be allocated 0.125 percent of the total appropriation. (3) LimitationGrant amounts distributed under paragraph (1) shall be awarded to conduct DNA analyses of samples from casework or from victims of crime under subsection (a)(2) in accordance with the following limitations:(A) For fiscal year 2009, not less than 40 percent of the grant amounts shall be awarded for purposes under subsection (a)(2). (B) For each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2024, not less than 40 percent of the grant amounts shall be awarded for purposes under subsection (a)(2). (C) For each of fiscal years 2019 through 2024, not less than 75 percent of the total grant amounts shall be awarded for a combination of purposes under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a). (4) Allocation of grant awards for auditsFor each of fiscal years 2014 through 2029, not less than 5 percent, but not more than 7 percent, of the grant amounts distributed under paragraph (1) shall, if sufficient applications to justify such amounts are received by the Attorney General, be awarded for purposes described in subsection (a)(7), provided that none of the funds required to be distributed under this paragraph shall decrease or otherwise limit the availability of funds required to be awarded to States or units of local government under paragraph (3). (5) Allocation of grant awards for prosecutorsFor each fiscal year, not less than 5 percent, but not more than 7 percent, of the grant amounts distributed under paragraph (1) shall, if sufficient applications to justify such amounts are received by the Attorney General, be awarded for purposes described in subsection (a)(9), provided that none of the funds required to be distributed under this paragraph shall decrease or otherwise limit the availability of funds required to be awarded to States or units of local government under paragraph (3). (d) Analysis of samples(1) In generalA plan pursuant to subsection (b)(1) shall require that, except as provided in paragraph (3), each DNA analysis be carried out in a laboratory that satisfies quality assurance standards and is—(A) operated by the State or a unit of local government; or (B) operated by a private entity pursuant to a contract with the State or a unit of local government. (2) Quality assurance standards(A) The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall maintain and make available to States and units of local government a description of quality assurance protocols and practices that the Director considers adequate to assure the quality of a forensic laboratory. (B) For purposes of this section, a laboratory satisfies quality assurance standards if the laboratory satisfies the quality control requirements described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 12592(b) of this title. (3) Use of vouchers or contracts for certain purposes(A) In generalA grant for the purposes specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (5) of subsection (a) may be made in the form of a voucher or contract for laboratory services, even if the laboratory makes a reasonable profit for the services. (B) RedemptionA voucher or contract under subparagraph (A) may be redeemed at a laboratory operated on a nonprofit or for-profit basis, by a private entity that satisfies quality assurance standards and has been approved by the Attorney General. (C) PaymentsThe Attorney General may use amounts authorized under subsection (j) to make payments to a laboratory described under subparagraph (B). (e) Restrictions on use of funds(1) NonsupplantingFunds made available pursuant to this section shall not be used to supplant State or local government funds, but shall be used to increase the amount of funds that would, in the absence of Federal funds, be made available from State or local government sources for the purposes of this Act. (2) Administrative costsA State or unit of local government may not use more than 3 percent of the funds it receives from this section for administrative expenses. (f) Reports to the Attorney GeneralEach State or unit of local government which receives a grant under this section shall submit to the Attorney General, for each year in which funds from a grant received under this section is expended, a report at such time and in such manner as the Attorney General may reasonably require, which contains—(1) a summary of the activities carried out under the grant and an assessment of whether such activities are meeting the needs identified in the application; and (2) such other information as the Attorney General may require. (g) Reports to CongressNot later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year for which grants are made under this section, the Attorney General shall submit to the Congress a report that includes—(1) the aggregate amount of grants made under this section to each State or unit of local government for such fiscal year; (2) a summary of the information provided by States or units of local government receiving grants under this section; and (3) a description of the priorities and plan for awarding grants among eligible States and units of local government, and how such plan will ensure the effective use of DNA technology to solve crimes and protect public safety. (h) Expenditure records(1) In generalEach State or unit of local government which receives a grant under this section shall keep records as the Attorney General may require to facilitate an effective audit of the receipt and use of grant funds received under this section. (2) AccessEach State or unit of local government which receives a grant under this section shall make available, for the purpose of audit and examination, such records as are related to the receipt or use of any such grant. (i) DefinitionFor purposes of this section, the term “State” means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. (j) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General for grants under subsection (a) $151,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029. (k) Use of funds for accreditation and auditsThe Attorney General may distribute not more than 1 percent of the grant amounts under subsection (j)—(1) to States or units of local government to defray the costs incurred by laboratories operated by each such State or unit of local government in preparing for accreditation or reaccreditation; (2) in the form of additional grants to States, units of local government, or nonprofit professional organizations of persons actively involved in forensic science and nationally recognized within the forensic science community—(A) to defray the costs of external audits of laboratories operated by such State or unit of local government, which participates in the National DNA Index System, to determine whether the laboratory is in compliance with quality assurance standards; (B) to assess compliance with any plans submitted to the National Institute of Justice, which detail the use of funds received by States or units of local government under this Act; and (C) to support future capacity building efforts; and (3) in the form of additional grants to nonprofit professional associations actively involved in forensic science and nationally recognized within the forensic science community to defray the costs of training persons who conduct external audits of laboratories operated by States and units of local government and which participate in the National DNA Index System. (l) Use of funds for other forensic sciencesThe Attorney General may award a grant under this section to a State or unit of local government to alleviate a backlog of cases with respect to a forensic science other than DNA analysis if the State or unit of local government—(1) certifies to the Attorney General that in such State or unit—(A) all of the purposes set forth in subsection (a) have been met; (B) a significant backlog of casework is not waiting for DNA analysis; and (C) there is no need for significant laboratory equipment, supplies, or additional personnel for timely DNA processing of casework or offender samples; and (2) demonstrates to the Attorney General that such State or unit requires assistance in alleviating a backlog of cases involving a forensic science other than DNA analysis. (m) External audits and remedial effortsIn the event that a laboratory operated by a State or unit of local government which has received funds under this Act has undergone an external audit conducted to determine whether the laboratory is in compliance with standards established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and, as a result of such audit, identifies measures to remedy deficiencies with respect to the compliance by the laboratory with such standards, the State or unit of local government shall implement any such remediation as soon as practicable. (n) Repealed. Pub. L. 113–4, title X, § 1006, Mar. 7, 2013, 127 Stat. 134 (o) Establishment of protocols, technical assistance, and definitions(1) Protocols and practicesNot later than 18 months after March 7, 2013, the Director, in consultation with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and government laboratories, shall develop and publish a description of protocols and practices the Director considers appropriate for the accurate, timely, and effective collection and processing of DNA evidence, including protocols and practices specific to sexual assault cases, which shall address appropriate steps in the investigation of cases that might involve DNA evidence, including—(A) how to determine—(i) which evidence is to be collected by law enforcement personnel and forwarded for testing; (ii) the preferred order in which evidence from the same case is to be tested; and (iii) what information to take into account when establishing the order in which evidence from different cases is to be tested; (B) the establishment of a reasonable period of time in which evidence is to be forwarded by emergency response providers, law enforcement personnel, and prosecutors to a laboratory for testing; (C) the establishment of reasonable periods of time in which each stage of analytical laboratory testing is to be completed; (D) systems to encourage communication within a State or unit of local government among emergency response providers, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, courts, defense counsel, crime laboratory personnel, and crime victims regarding the status of crime scene evidence to be tested; and (E) standards for conducting the audit of the backlog for DNA case work in sexual assault cases required under subsection (n). (2) Technical assistance and trainingThe Director shall make available technical assistance and training to support States and units of local government in adopting and implementing the protocols and practices developed under paragraph (1) on and after the date on which the protocols and practices are published. (3) DefinitionsIn this subsection, the terms “awaiting testing” and “possession” have the meanings given those terms in subsection (n).

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