§14136. DNA training and education for law enforcement, correctional personnel, and court officers

(a) In general

The Attorney General shall make grants to provide training, technical assistance, education, and information relating to the identification, collection, preservation, analysis, and use of DNA samples and DNA evidence by-

(1) law enforcement personnel, including police officers and other first responders, evidence technicians, investigators, and others who collect or examine evidence of crime;

(2) court officers, including State and local prosecutors, defense lawyers, and judges;

(3) forensic science professionals; and

(4) corrections personnel, including prison and jail personnel, and probation, parole, and other officers involved in supervision.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated $12,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2014 to carry out this section.

( Pub. L. 108–405, title III, §303, Oct. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2273 ; Pub. L. 110–360, §3, Oct. 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 4008 .)

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2004 and also as part of the Justice for All Act of 2004, and not as part of Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which enacted this chapter.

Amendments

2008-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–360 substituted "2009 through 2014" for "2005 through 2009".

Incentive Grants to States To Ensure Consideration of Claims of Actual Innocence

Pub. L. 108–405, title IV, §413, Oct. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2285 , provided that: "For each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, all funds appropriated to carry out sections 303, 305, 308, and 412 [sections 14136, 14136b, 14136d, and 14136e of this title] shall be reserved for grants to eligible entities that-

"(1) meet the requirements under section 303, 305, 308, or 412, as appropriate; and

"(2) demonstrate that the State in which the eligible entity operates-

"(A) provides post-conviction DNA testing of specified evidence-

"(i) under a State statute enacted before the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 2004] (or extended or renewed after such date), to persons convicted after trial and under a sentence of imprisonment or death for a State felony offense, in a manner that ensures a reasonable process for resolving claims of actual innocence; or

"(ii) under a State statute enacted after the date of enactment of this Act, or under a State rule, regulation, or practice, to persons under a sentence of imprisonment or death for a State felony offense, in a manner comparable to section 3600(a) of title 18, United States Code (provided that the State statute, rule, regulation, or practice may make post-conviction DNA testing available in cases in which such testing is not required by such section), and if the results of such testing exclude the applicant, permits the applicant to apply for post-conviction relief, notwithstanding any provision of law that would otherwise bar such application as untimely; and

"(B) preserves biological evidence secured in relation to the investigation or prosecution of a State offense-

"(i) under a State statute or a State or local rule, regulation, or practice, enacted or adopted before the date of enactment of this Act (or extended or renewed after such date), in a manner that ensures that reasonable measures are taken by all jurisdictions within the State to preserve such evidence; or

"(ii) under a State statute or a State or local rule, regulation, or practice, enacted or adopted after the date of enactment of this Act, in a manner comparable to section 3600A of title 18, United States Code, if-

     "(I) all jurisdictions within the State comply with this requirement; and

     "(II) such jurisdictions may preserve such evidence for longer than the period of time that such evidence would be required to be preserved under such section 3600A."