Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont introduced the Innocence...

Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont introduced the Innocence Protection Act of 2000 in the U.S. Congress, a bill that would allow DNA testing for all inmates and to improve the system of representation for those facing the death penalty. Other provisions include compensation for wrongly convicted inmates released from death row, and the obligation to instruct jurors of the possible sentencing option of life without parole, where applicable. The bill was re-introduced on June 11, 2000 with Republican and Democratic co-sponsorship.