To amend title 10, United States Code, to limit the collection and use by the Department of Defense of individual genetic identifying information to the purpose of identification of remains, other than when the consent of the individual concerned is obtained.

Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 24, 1996

Amends Federal law to provide that, in any case in which the Secretary of Defense obtains blood samples or other organic matter from an individual that could be used to obtain genetic information concerning that person: (1) such genetic information may be derived from such organic matter or used without that individual's consent only for the purpose of identification of remains; and (2) such individual shall be provided notice of that provision.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Kennedy, Joseph P., II [D-MA-8] · D–MA

Committees

Armed Services Committee

5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 12, 1996
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.
Feb 6, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Feb 6, 1996
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Jan 24, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on National Security.
Jan 24, 1996
Introduced in House
Jan 24, 1996
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 24, 1996 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2873 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2873, 104th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to limit the collection and use by the Department of Defense of individual genetic identifying information to the purpose of identification of remains, other than when the consent of the individual concerned is obtained.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2873

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2873/BILLS-104hr2873ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2873 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2873 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2873, 104th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to limit the collection and use by the Department of Defense of individual genetic identifying information to the purpose of identification of remains, other than when the consent of the individual concerned is obtained.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2873

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2873/BILLS-104hr2873ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2873 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2873 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2873, 104th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to limit the collection and use by the Department of Defense of individual genetic identifying information to the purpose of identification of remains, other than when the consent of the individual concerned is obtained.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2873

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2873/BILLS-104hr2873ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2873 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2873 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2873, 104th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to limit the collection and use by the Department of Defense of individual genetic identifying information to the purpose of identification of remains, other than when the consent of the individual concerned is obtained.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2873

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2873/BILLS-104hr2873ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2873 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.