LEGISLATION: Senate and House Pass Versions of Innocence Protection Act

On October 9, the U.S. Senate passed by voice vote a bill called the “Justice for All Act of 2004” that contains important elements of the Innocence Protection Act, originally introduced in 2000. A similar bill recently overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives (HR 5107), and it is expected that the final legislation will now be signed into law. The bill provides for expanded access to DNA testing for prison inmates and assistance to states for both defense and prosecution in conducting death penalty trials. The broader legislation also provides assistance to victims of crime. (Washington Post, Oct. 10, 2004). See also Justice Project Press Release.