PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3868-3870)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 2, 2002
Post-Conviction DNA Testing Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish procedures for post-conviction DNA testing. Authorizes an individual imprisoned because of a conviction of a criminal offense in a U.S. court to make a written motion to the court for the performance of forensic DNA testing on specified evidence.Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) the substance of the motion (including an assertion of innocence of the crime if exoneration would result in a mandatory sentence reduction) and the timing of its filing (within 60 months); (2) notice to the Government, the preservation order, and appointment of counsel; (3) the order for DNA testing; (4) testing and result reporting procedures; (5) post-testing procedures where test results are inconclusive, positive, or negative or produce exculpatory evidence; and (6) finality of an order granting or denying DNA testing or a new trial.Prohibits the Government from destroying any biological material preserved if the defendant is serving a term of imprisonment following conviction in a case until the later of: (1) 60 months after enactment of this Act; or (2) the date DNA testing proceedings are completed.Directs the Attorney General to establish a system for reporting and tracking motions under this Act. Prohibits a State from denying an application for DNA testing made by a prisoner in State custody who would be eligible for such testing under Federal provisions pursuant to this Act. Authorizes a prisoner in State custody to enforce such provision in a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief.
People & committees
Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R–PA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3868-3870)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3859-3865)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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