Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3842
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2010-09-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Justice
Evidence and witnesses
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Lawyers and legal services
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: 
Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include as a victim's right the right to be informed of rights and to be provided contact information for the Office of the Victims' Rights Ombudsman of the Department of Justice (DOJ); and (2) expand eligibility for post-conviction DNA testing in criminal proceedings other than death penalty cases. 
 
Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to revise the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program to: (1) require the development of protocols and practices for the accurate, timely, and effective collection and processing of DNA evidence and require states and local governments to adopt such protocols and practices; (2) expand the authority of the Attorney General to make grants for the collection, processing, testing, and analysis of DNA evidence; (3) allow the use of grant funds to alleviate a backlog of cases with respect to a forensic science other than DNA analysis; (4) impose penalties on states and local governments for noncompliance with Program requirements; and (5) extend funding for the Program through FY2015. 
 
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) require government entities to coordinate with regional health care providers to notify sexual assault victims of the availability of free rape exams; and (2) authorize increased appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program.
 
Amends the Justice for All Act of 2004 to: (1) authorize increased appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for crime victims legal assistance grants; (2) authorize appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for DNA research and development, DNA programs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), DNA identification of missing persons and human remains, and the Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grant Program; (3) authorize appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for legal representation of indigent criminal defendants in state capital cases; (4) authorize appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for incentive grants to states to ensure consideration of claims of actual innocence in criminal cases; and (5) require the Director of the National Institute of Justice to establish best practices for evidence retention and to assist state, local, and tribal governments in adopting and implementing such practices.
 
Effective Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2010 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require grant applicants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to include in grant applications a comprehensive statewide plan for the improvement of the administration of the criminal justice system. Makes it unlawful for government entities or their agents to engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives indigent defendants of their constitutional rights to assistance of counsel in criminal proceedings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7511-7515)
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7510-7511)
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Introduced in Senate