WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Chuck Grassley, today reported to the full Senate three bipartisan bills to support law enforcement’s use of forensic evidence and expand training for active shooter scenarios.

The Rapid DNA Act, S. 2348, would allow law enforcement to utilize new technology to process and index DNA samples that could assist in solving serious crimes.  The bill would require the FBI to issue standards and procedures for the use of Rapid DNA instruments and their resulting DNA analyses.  It would permit those results to be included in the DNA Index only if the criminal justice agencies taking Rapid DNA samples comply with the standards and procedures that the FBI approves.  The Rapid DNA Act was reported out of the Judiciary Committee by a voice vote.

The Justice for All Reauthorization Act, S. 2577, expresses Congress’ continued commitment to helping state and local crime labs reduce the backlogs of unanalyzed DNA evidence.  The bill would authorize resources for forensic labs and enhance convicted offenders’ access to post-conviction DNA testing.  The Justice for All Reauthorization Act was reported out of the Judiciary Committee by a voice vote.

The POLICE Act, S.2840, makes federal grants available for law enforcement officers and medical personnel to help them better prepare for active shooter situations, including training civilians on how to respond if confronted by an active shooter.  The POLICE Act passed by voice vote.

Today’s actions bring the total number of bills reported out of the Judiciary Committee in the 114th Congress to 26, equal to the total number of bills reported by the committee in the entire 113th Congress.  Each bill reported by the committee in the 114th Congress has enjoyed bipartisan support.