Public Law 115-50: Rapid DNA Act of 2017

Rapid DNA Act of 2017

This bill amends the DNA Identification Act of 1994 to require the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to issue standards and procedures for using Rapid DNA instruments to analyze DNA samples of criminal offenders.

Rapid DNA instruments carry out a fully automated process to create a DNA analysis from a DNA sample.

DNA samples prepared by criminal justice agencies using Rapid DNA instruments in compliance the FBI-issued standards and procedures may be included in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

The bill amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to allow the FBI to waive certain existing requirements if a DNA sample is analyzed using Rapid DNA instruments and the results are included in CODIS.

Cosponsors: Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15], Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13], Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3], Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Ratcliffe, John [R-TX-4], Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14], Rep. Pearce, Stevan [R-NM-2], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11], Rep. Yoder, Kevin [R-KS-3], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3], Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6], Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Bishop, Mike [R-MI-8], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-8], Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1], Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2], Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2], Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31], Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2], Rep. Collins, Doug [R-GA-9], Rep. Farenthold, Blake [R-TX-27]