Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Cold Cases Act of 2010
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (20 Sep 2010): Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
What this bill does
The Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Cold Cases Act of 2010, introduced in the House of Representatives, would require the Attorney General to establish policies for the FBI to conduct "familial DNA searches." These searches compare DNA from crime scenes to a database of convicted offenders to find potential relatives of a suspect, rather than an exact match. Such searches would only be permitted if an identical match is not found and the crime involves serious offenses like murder, manslaughter, sex offenses against a minor, or sexual assault.
This bill would affect state and federal law enforcement agencies. State agencies could request the FBI conduct familial searches in their investigations, provided they have their own written policies for such searches. The bill also emphasizes protecting the privacy of individuals identified through these searches. The Attorney General would be required to issue regulations and report annually to Congress on the number of searches conducted and their outcomes.
As of July 30, 2010, this bill had been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The next step in the legislative process would be for the committee to consider the bill, which could involve hearings, amendments, and a vote. If passed by the committee, it would then proceed to the full House for consideration.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Cold Cases Act of 2010 - Requires the Attorney General to adopt policies and procedures to ensure that: (1) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may conduct familial searches for DNA samples collected from crime scenes; (2) state law enforcement agencies may request that the FBI conduct such searches in state investigations; and (3) the privacy interests of persons identified in familial searches are protected. Defines "familial search" as a search of the offender index in the National DNA Index System in which a DNA sample from an unknown source collected from a crime scene is compared to such index to determine if a familial match exists between the DNA profile contained in such index and the DNA sample collected from the crime scene.
Allows FBI familial searches to be conducted only if: (1) no identical match for a DNA sample collected from a crime scene can be identified in the offender index; and (2) the investigation for which DNA samples are collected involves murder, manslaughter, a sex offense against a minor, sexual assault, or an offense that involves a sexual act or sexual contact with another and that is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
Timeline
20 Sep 2010
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6011 do?
- The Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Cold Cases Act of 2010, introduced in the House of Representatives, would require the Attorney General to establish policies for the FBI to conduct "familial DNA searches." These searches compare DNA from crime scenes to a database of convicted offenders to find potential relatives of a suspect, rather than an exact match. Such searches would only be permitted if an identical match is not found and the crime involves serious offenses like murder, manslaughter, sex offenses against a minor, or sexual assault. This bill would affect state and federal law enforcement agencies. State agencies could request the FBI conduct familial searches in their investigations, provided they have their own written policies for such searches. The bill also emphasizes protecting the privacy of individuals identified through these searches. The Attorney General would be required to issue regulations and report annually to Congress on the number of searches conducted and their outcomes. As of July 30, 2010, this bill had been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The next step in the legislative process would be for the committee to consider the bill, which could involve hearings, amendments, and a vote. If passed by the committee, it would then proceed to the full House for consideration.
- Has H.R. 6011 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 6011. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6011?
- H.R. 6011 was sponsored by Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-29] (D-CA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6011?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. (20 Sep 2010).
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