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S. 1700: Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2003

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S. 1700: Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2003

108th Congress · introduced 2003-10-01 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2003-10-01 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2003

Plain summary

Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2003 - Rape Kits and DNA Evidence Backlog Elimination Act of 2003 - Amends: (1) the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to reauthorize the Act; (2) the DNA Identification Act of 1994 (Identification Act) to expand the scope of DNA samples to be included in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS); and (3) the Violence Against Women Act to authorize grants to increase the availability of legal assistance to victims of dating violence. DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2003 - Amends the Identification Act to require that CODIS include only information on DNA identification records and analyses that are prepared by laboratories that: (1) have been accredited by a nationally recognized nonprofit professional association of forensic scientists within two years; and (2) undergo external audits at least every two years that demonstrate compliance with specified standards. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants for: (1) DNA training and education; (2) sexual assault forensic examination programs; (3) research and development; (4) using DNA technology to identify missing persons; and (5) tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions. Expands and reauthorizes the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program. Innocence Protection Act of 2003 - Sets forth conditions under which a Federal prisoner may obtain post-conviction DNA testing of specific evidence. Directs the Attorney General to award grants to States to improve the quality of legal representation in State capital cases.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2003

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · 40 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 1700, Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2004 (2004-10-01); CBO cost estimate: S. 1700, Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2004 (2004-10-01)

Cosponsors on this site

Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong108-s1700 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108