Cornyn Praises Reauthorization of the Debbie Smith Act

Press Release

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement after the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2014 was passed by the Senate. The House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this year:

"Our nation's rape-kit backlog is completely unacceptable, and this bill will provide law enforcement the resources necessary to ensure that the victims of these crimes receive the justice and support they are due. I urge the President to waste no time in signing this into law."

Sen. Cornyn continues to work for reauthorization of the complete Justice for All Act, which will build on successes of laws like The Debbie Smith Act and the SAFER Act, and will reauthorize them for five more years. Additionally, theJustice for All Act:

-Protects the Victims of Crime Act Fund from being used for other purposes and expands procedural rights to notice and consultation for crime victims

-Reauthorizes DNA Training/Education for Law Enforcement Program, the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program, the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program, and the Victims of Crime Legal Assistance Program

-Requires grantees receiving certain victims service program grants to coordinate with healthcare providers to notify sexual assault victims of the availability of rape exams at no cost to the victims

-Works to reduce wrongful convictions by improving the preservation and testing of biological evidence

Source