# Plain Language Summary: Backlog Justice Act of 2022

This bill tackles a serious problem in the criminal justice system: thousands of sexual assault evidence kits (commonly called "rape kits") are sitting untested in police evidence rooms and crime labs across the country, sometimes for years. When these kits aren't tested, DNA evidence that could identify perpetrators or exonerate the innocent goes unused, and victims are left waiting for justice. This bill creates four main programs to speed up testing and get more kits processed.

The first part creates a public database where anyone can see how many untested kits are waiting in each state and local area, and how long labs typically take to process them. This transparency helps hold law enforcement accountable and lets people know the real scope of the problem in their communities. The second part funds training programs run by the FBI to teach analysts how to test sexual assault evidence, so more qualified people can do this specialized work and labs can hire them. The third part has the FBI research new DNA testing technologies and share what works with state and local labs, helping everyone process kits faster and more efficiently. Finally, the bill offers financial incentives to states that set up online tracking systems where sexual assault survivors can follow the progress of their own kit through the entire process—from the hospital where it was collected, through police evidence rooms, to the lab, and finally to case resolution.

The bill authorizes spending between $1.5 million and $10 million per year from 2024 through 2028 for these different programs. Importantly, states and local labs aren't forced to participate—they can choose whether to use these FBI training programs and resources. The practical impact is that survivors of sexual assault should see faster results, more kits getting tested, and better information about what's happening with their evidence.

Backlog Justice Act of 2022

Cleaver, Emanuel

Backlog Justice Act of 2022 This bill requires certain actions to address the backlog of untested sexual assault kits. For example, the bill (1) directs the Bureau of Justice Assistance to establish a publicly accessible online database regarding untested kits, and (2) requires the Department of Justice to provide an increased amount of certain grant funding for states that have in place electronic evidence tracking systems for these kits.