,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cjfd ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #i1 #bjac ,ms4 ,eddie ,bernice ,johnson of ,texas 7for herself and ,mr4 ,veasey7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 and in addition to the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to establish scientific standards and protocols across forensic disciplines1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,forensic ,science and ,standards ,act of #bjac4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #c4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #d4 ,national forensic science research program4 ,sec4 #e4 ,forensic science research at the ,national ,science ,foundation4 ,sec4 #f4 ,forensic science research challenges4 ,sec4 #g4 ,forensic science standards and research at the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology4 ,sec4 #h4 ,forensic ,science ,advisory ,committee4 ,sec4 #i4 ,adoption1 accreditation1 and certification4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 at the direction of ,congress1 the ,national ,academy of ,sciences led a comprehensive review of the state of forensic science and issued its findings in a #bjji report1 ,strengthening ,forensic ,science in the ,united ,states3 ,a ,path ,forward2 7#b7 the report's findings indicate the need for independent scientific research to support the foundation of forensic disciplines2 7#c7 the report stresses the need for standards in methods1 data interpretation1 and reporting1 and the importance of preventing cognitive bias and mitigating human factors2 and 7#d7 according to the report1 forensic science research is not financially well supported1 and there is a need for a unified strategy for developing a forensic science research plan across ,federal agencies4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,advisory ,committee ,the term ,advisory ,committee means the ,forensic ,science ,advisory ,committee established under section #h4 7#b7 ,coordinating ,office ,the term ,coordinating ,office means the ,national ,forensic ,science ,coordinating ,office established under section #d4 7#c7 ,forensic science ,the term forensic science means the basic and applied scientific research applicable to the collection1 evaluation1 and analysis of physical evidence1 including digital evidence1 for use in investigations and legal proceedings1 including all tests1 methods1 measurements1 and procedures4 7#d7 ,standards development organization ,the term standards development organization means a domestic or an international organization that plans1 develops1 establishes1 or coordinates voluntary consensus standards using procedures that incorporate openness1 a balance of interests1 consensus1 due process1 and an appeals process4 #d4 ,national forensic science research program 7a7 ,establishment ,there shall be a national forensic science research program to improve1 expand1 and coordinate ,federal research in the forensic sciences4 7b7 ,national ,academies ,report on ,forensic ,science ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 in consultation with the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 shall enter into an arrangement with the ,national ,academies to develop1 not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 a report that-- 7#a7 identifies the most critical forensic science disciplines1 which may include forensic pathology and digital forensics1 that require further research to strengthen the scientific foundation in those disciplines2 7#b7 makes recommendations regarding research that will help strengthen the scientific foundation in the forensic science disciplines identified under paragraph 7#a72 and 7#c7 makes recommendations regarding the mix of funding mechanisms that might be most effective at advancing the research identified in paragraph 7#b74 7c7 ,national forensic science coordinating office 7#a7 ,establishment ,there is established a ,national ,forensic ,science ,coordinating ,office1 with a director and full time staff1 to be located at the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology4 ,the ,director of the ,coordinating ,office shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this subsection4 7#b7 ,unified ,federal research strategy ,the ,coordinating ,office shall coordinate among relevant ,federal departments1 agencies1 or offices-- 7,a7 the development of a unified ,federal research strategy that-- 7i7 specifies and prioritizes the research necessary to enhance the validity and reliability of the forensic science disciplines2 and 7ii7 is consistent with the recommendations in the ,national ,academies report on forensic science under subsection 7b72 7,b7 the development of a #e-year roadmap1 updated triennially thereafter1 for the unified ,federal research strategy under subparagraph 7,a7 that includes a description of-- 7i7 which department1 agency1 or office will carry out each specific element of the unified ,federal research strategy2 7ii7 short-term and long-term priorities and objectives2 and 7iii7 common metrics and other evaluation criteria that will be used to assess progress toward achieving the priorities and objectives under clause 7ii72 and 7,c7 any necessary programs1 policies1 and budgets to support the implementation of the roadmap under subparagraph 7,b74 7#c7 ,annual report ,the ,coordinating ,office shall submit an annual report to ,congress1 not later than #ij days after the submission of the ,president's annual budget request1 that includes the budget for the program established under this section for each agency that participates in the program1 including for all activities pursuant to sections #e1 #f1 and #g4 7#d7 ,deadlines ,the ,coordinating ,office shall submit to ,congress-- 7,a7 not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the unified ,federal research strategy under paragraph 7#b77;,a72 7,b7 not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the initial #e-year roadmap under paragraph 7#b77;,b72 and 7,c7 not later than #a month after the date it is updated1 each updated #e-year roadmap under paragraph 7#b77;,b74 #e4 ,forensic science research at the ,national ,science ,foundation 7a7 ,grants ,the ,national ,science ,foundation shall award forensic science basic research grants to improve the foundation and practice of forensic science in the ,united ,states1 consistent with the ,foundation's mission and the recommendations in the unified ,federal research strategy under section #d4 7b7 ,merit review ,each grant under this section shall be awarded on a merit-reviewed1 competitive basis4 7c7 ,forensic science research centers 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall award grants to support one or more forensic science research centers-- 7,a7 to conduct research consistent with the unified ,federal research strategy under section #d and with the ,foundation's mission2 7,b7 to help build relationships between forensic science practitioners and members of the research community2 7,c7 to encourage and promote the education and training of a diverse group of people to be leaders in the interdisciplinary field of forensic science2 and 7,d7 to broadly disseminate the results of the research under subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,limitation on use of funds ,no funds authorized under this section may be used to construct or renovate a building or structure4 7#c7 ,reports ,each forensic science research center shall submit an annual report to the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 at such time and in such manner as the ,director may require1 that contains a description of the activities the center carried out with the funds received under this section4 7d7 ,evaluation 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its full portfolio of forensic science research and education grants every #d years-- 7,a7 to determine whether the research supported under the grants is contributing to the objectives of improving the foundation and practice of forensic science in the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 to evaluate the extent to which the research is contributing toward the priorities and objectives described in the roadmap under section #d7;c77#b77;,b74 7#b7 ,report to ,congress ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall report to ,congress the results of each comprehensive evaluation under paragraph 7#a74 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,national ,science ,foundation to carry out this section-- 7#a7 #cd1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjad2 7#b7 #cg1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjae2 7#c7 #dj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjaf2 7#d7 #dc1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag2 and 7#e7 #df1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjah4 #f4 ,forensic science research challenges 7a7 ,prizes and challenges 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,federal department1 agency1 or office may assist in satisfying the research needs and priorities identified in the unified ,federal research strategy under section #d by using prizes and challenges under section #bd of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgai7 or under any other provision of law1 as appropriate4 7#b7 ,purposes ,the purpose of a prize or challenge under this section1 among other possible purposes1 may be-- 7,a7 to determine or develop the best data collection practices or analytical methods to evaluate a specific type of forensic data2 or 7,b7 to determine the accuracy of an analytical method4 7b7 ,forensic evidence prizes and challenges 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,federal department1 agency1 or office1 or multiple ,federal departments1 agencies1 or offices in cooperation1 carrying out a prize or challenge under this section-- 7,a7 may establish a prize advisory board2 and 7,b7 shall consult with the ,advisory ,committee on the appropriateness of the prize or challenge to satisfy the research needs and priorities identified in the unified ,federal research strategy under section #d4 7#b7 ,samples ,the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology or the ,department of ,justice shall provide or contract with a non-,federal party to prepare a sufficient set of samples1 including associated digital data that could be shared without limitation and physical specimens that could be shared with qualified parties1 for purposes of a prize or challenge4 7#c7 ,fingerprint data interoperability ,at least #a prize or challenge under this section shall be focused on achieving nationwide fingerprint data interoperability if the prize advisory board1 the ,coordinating ,office1 or a ,federal department1 agency1 or office identifies an area where a prize or challenge will assist in satisfying a strategy related to this issue4 #g4 ,forensic science standards and research at the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall-- 7,a7 conduct research supporting the development and dissemination of methods1 standards1 and technical guidance for forensic science measurements2 7,b7 identify or coordinate the development of forensic science standards to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science activities1 including-- 7i7 authoritative methods1 standards1 and technical guidance1 including protocols and best practices1 for forensic measurements1 analysis1 and interpretation2 7ii7 technical standards for products and services used by forensic science practitioners2 7iii7 standard content1 terminology1 and parameters to be used in reporting and testifying on the results and interpretation of forensic science measurements1 tests1 and procedures2 and 7iv7 standards to provide for the interoperability of forensic science-related technology and databases2 and 7,c7 test and validate existing forensics standards1 measurements1 and methods as appropriate4 7#b7 ,consultation 7,a7 ,in general ,in carrying out its responsibilities under paragraph 7#a71 the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall consult with-- 7i7 standards development organizations and other stakeholders1 including relevant ,federal departments1 agencies1 and offices2 and 7ii7 testing laboratories and accreditation bodies4 7#c7 ,prioritization ,when prioritizing its responsibilities under paragraph 7#a71 the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall consider-- 7,a7 the unified ,federal research strategy under section #d2 and 7,b7 the recommendations of any expert working group under subsection 7b74 7#d7 ,report to ,congress ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall report every #b years1 not later than #ij days after the submission of the ,president's budget request1 to ,congress on the progress in carrying out the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology's responsibilities under paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,expert working groups 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology may establish one or more discipline-specific expert working groups to identify gaps1 areas of need1 and opportunities for standards development with respect to forensic science4 ,each working group shall balance scientific rigor with practical and regulatory constraints4 7#b7 ,members ,a member of an expert working group shall-- 7,a7 be appointed by the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology2 and 7,b7 have significant academic1 research1 or practical expertise in a discipline of forensic science or in another area relevant to the purpose of the expert working group4 7#c7 ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act ,an expert working group established under this subsection shall not be subject to the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology to carry out this section-- 7#a7 #e1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjad2 7#b7 #ab1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjae2 7#c7 #bj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjaf2 7#d7 #bg1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag2 and 7#e7 #ce1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjah4 #h4 ,forensic ,science ,advisory ,committee 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology and the ,attorney ,general1 in consultation with the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 shall establish a ,forensic ,science ,advisory ,committee4 7b7 ,duties ,the ,advisory ,committee shall provide advice to-- 7#a7 the ,federal departments1 agencies1 and offices implementing the unified ,federal research strategy under section #d2 7#b7 the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 including recommendations regarding the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology's responsibilities under section #g2 and 7#c7 the ,department of ,justice1 including recommendations regarding the ,department of ,justice's responsibilities under section #i4 7c7 ,subcommittees ,the ,advisory ,committee may form subcommittees related to specific disciplines in forensic science or as necessary to further its duties under subsection 7b74 ,a subcommittee may include an individual who is not a member of the ,advisory ,committee4 7d7 ,chairs ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology and the ,attorney ,general1 or their designees1 shall co-chair the ,advisory ,committee4 7e7 ,membership ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology and the ,attorney ,general1 in consultation with the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 shall appoint each member of the ,advisory ,committee4 ,the ,advisory ,committee shall include balanced representation between scientists with expertise relevant to forensic sciences 7including academic scientists1 statisticians1 social scientists1 engineers1 and representatives of other related scientific disciplines7 and individuals and organizations with expertise in applications of forensic science 7including ,federal1 ,state1 and local representatives of the forensic science community1 the legal community1 victim advocate organizations1 and law enforcement74 7f7 ,administration ,the ,attorney ,general shall provide administrative support to the ,advisory ,committee4 #i4 ,adoption1 accreditation1 and certification ,the ,attorney ,general-- 7#a7 shall promote the adoption of forensic science standards developed under section #g1 including-- 7,a7 by requiring each ,federal forensic laboratory to adopt such forensic science standards2 7,b7 by encouraging each non-,federal forensic laboratory to adopt such forensic science standards2 and 7,c7 by disseminating any recommendations made by the ,advisory ,committee for adoption and implementation of forensic science standards2 7#b7 shall promote the development of minimum training1 accreditation1 and certification requirements based on the forensic science standards developed under section #g and any recommendations made by the ,advisory ,committee2 7#c7 shall issue guidance concerning the intersection of forensic science and the courtroom2 and 7#d7 may require the adoption of the forensic science standards as a condition of ,federal funding or for inclusion in national data sets4