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S. 820 116th Congress Senate

Debbie Smith Act of 2019

Official title: A bill to strengthen programs authorized under the Debbie Smith Act of 2004.

Introduced: March 14, 2019 Introduced by: John Cornyn Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Assault and harassment offensesCongressional oversightCrimes against womenCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
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Criminal justice information and recordsEvidence and witnessesGeneticsGovernment studies and investigationsLaw enforcement administration and fundingLaw enforcement officersMedical tests and diagnostic methodsSex offensesViolent crime
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 31, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
May 20, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 20, 2019
Received in the House.
May 20, 2019
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
May 16, 2019
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2946-2948; text: CR S2947-2948)
May 16, 2019
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2946-2948; text: CR S2947-2948)
May 9, 2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 80.
May 9, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham with amendments. Without written report.
May 2, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Mar 14, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 14, 2019
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 31, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Debbie Smith Act of 2019

This bill reauthorizes grants that support state and local efforts to process DNA evidence in rape kits.

Specifically, it reauthorizes through FY2024 the following:

  • grants under the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program;
  • grants to provide DNA training and education for law enforcement personnel, corrections personnel, and court officers; and
  • grants under the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program.
 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 820: Debbie Smith Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-820/
MLA
"S. 820: Debbie Smith Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-820/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 820, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-820/.
Markdown link
[S. 820: Debbie Smith Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-820/)
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