Debbie Smith Act of 2023

Debbie Smith Act of 2023

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. The program provides grants to state and local governments to improve and expand the collection and analysis of DNA evidence, including evidence in sexual assault kits.

Bill 118 hr 1105, also known as the Debbie Smith Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill is named after Debbie Smith, a survivor of sexual assault whose advocacy led to the creation of the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program in 2004.

The purpose of the Debbie Smith Act of 2023 is to reauthorize and strengthen the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. This program provides funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to process DNA evidence from unsolved crimes, including sexual assaults. By reducing the backlog of untested DNA evidence, law enforcement agencies are able to solve more crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.

The bill includes provisions to increase funding for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, improve the efficiency of DNA testing processes, and enhance training for forensic scientists. It also aims to prioritize the testing of DNA evidence from sexual assault cases and ensure that victims have access to timely and accurate information about the status of their cases. Overall, the Debbie Smith Act of 2023 is a bipartisan effort to support victims of sexual assault, improve the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies, and promote public safety. It reflects a commitment to using cutting-edge forensic technology to solve crimes and hold perpetrators accountable.