[115th Congress Public Law 50]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 131 STAT. 1001]]
Public Law 115-50
115th Congress
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. <<NOTE: Aug. 18, 2017 - [H.R. 510]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Rapid DNA Act of
2017. 42 USC 13701 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rapid DNA Act of 2017''.
SEC. 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) <<NOTE: Procedures.>> 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) <<NOTE: Definition.>> 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) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> 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''.
SEC. 3. <<NOTE: Waiver authority. Definition.>> 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--
[[Page 131 STAT. 1002]]
(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.''.
Approved August 18, 2017.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 510 (S. 139):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 115-117 (Comm. on the Judiciary).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017):
May 16, considered and passed House.
Aug. 1, considered and passed Senate.
<all>