NAPO Washington Reports

NAPO Attends National Criminal Justice Association Brown Bag

July 17, 2013

On July 15, 2013, NAPO attended the monthly National Criminal Justice Association Brown Bag.  The brown bag focused on the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S.822).  Senator Leahy is the sponsor of this legislation, and his staff joined the group to discuss the details of the bill.  Senator Leahy’s staff was accompanied by a member of Senator Cornyn’s staff, who is also a supporter of the legislation.

The following provides details on the bill:

  • The Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2013 amends the federal criminal code to:
    • (1) Grant crime victims the right to be informed of their rights and of services available to them;
    • (2) Expand eligibility for post-conviction DNA testing in criminal proceedings other than death penalty cases; and
    • (3) Eliminate the waiver of the right to request DNA testing of biological evidence.
  • The bill amends the Justice for All Act of 2004 to extend through FY 2018 the authorization of appropriations for grant programs for:
    • The enforcement of crime victims' rights;
    • DNA training and education for law enforcement officers;
    • Sexual assault forensic exams;
    • DNA research and development;
    • DNA programs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI);
    • Identification of missing persons;
    • Improving the quality of legal representation for indigent defendants in capital cases;
    • Providing incentives to states to establish a reasonable process for resolving claims of actual innocence; and
    • The Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grant Program to help states defray the costs of post-conviction DNA testing.
  • The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to:
    • (1) Extend (until three years after enactment of this Act) the period for compliance by governmental entities with requirements for payment of the full cost of forensic medical exams for victims of sexual assault; and
    • (2) Extend (through FY2018) the authorization of appropriations for the Paul Coverdell forensic sciences improvement grant program.
  • The bill requires the Director of the National Institute of Justice to:
    • (1) Establish best practices for evidence retention to focus on the preservation of biological evidence; and
    • (2) Assist state, local, and tribal governments in adopting and implementing such best practices.
  • The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require grant applicants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to include in grant applications a comprehensive state-wide plan for the improvement of the administration of the criminal justice system.
  • The bill makes all grants awarded by the Department of Justice (DOJ) under this Act subject to audits beginning in FY2014 to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by grantees.

If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact Melissa Nee at:  mnee@napo.org.

Source:

"Bill Summary & Status 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) S.822CRS Summary." Bill Summary & Status. N.p., n.d. Web. 

17 July 2013.