Hatch-Feinstein DNA Bill Moves Forward in Senate
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation to speed processing of DNA samples and help law enforcement more quickly solve crimes. The bipartisan Rapid DNA Act, authored by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Cal.), updates our nation’s DNA laws to allow properly trained police officers in booking stations and other locations to upload DNA samples to the FBI’s CODIS database so that officers can determine more quickly whether a suspect in custody is connected to a crime or is innocent. The bill also contains important quality assurance protections to safeguard the integrity of the FBI’s database.
Law enforcement leaders across the nation have praised the bill, including FBI Director James Comey, who told the Senate last December that the authority in the bill would “change the world in a very, very exciting way” by allowing law enforcement “to know instantly—or near instantly—whether [a] person is the rapist who’s been on the loose in a particular community before they’re released on bail and get away, or to clear somebody, to show that they’re [innocent].”
“This bill is about smarter law enforcement and enabling officials to make faster, better-informed decisions about whether individuals in custody should be held or released,” Hatch said. “It will help keep dangerous criminals off our streets and prevent innocent individuals from languishing in jail. I’m pleased to see the growing consensus in favor of this bill as it moves to the Senate floor.”
“When an individual is arrested, it can often take months to process their DNA sample to determine whether their DNA profiles match other crimes,” Senator Feinstein said. “The bill will address this delay by requiring the FBI to issue guidelines for local jurisdictions to use standardized Rapid DNA technology. This technology will reduce processing time from months to hours, allowing the police to quickly advance investigations and protect the public.”
For a one-pager on the bill, click here.
In December, FBI Director James Comey praised the bill in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. You can find that video here, text of the exchange here.
