,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hbci ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #ad1 #bjbj,ms4 ,johnson of ,texas 7for herself and ,mr4 ,lucas7 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 facilitate the development and distribution of forensic science standards by establishing in the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology the ,organization of ,scientific ,area ,committees for ,forensic ,science1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,forensic ,science ,research and ,standards ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,in #bjji1 the ,national ,research ,council published a report entitled ,strengthening ,forensic ,science in the ,united ,states3 ,a ,path ,forward1 which provided a roadmap for the future of forensics research4 7#b7 ,the ,federal ,government1 forensic science community1 the research community1 and the legal community have taken steps to move the field of forensic science forward since the release of this report4 7#c7 ,there are still scientific advances to be made to bring further rigor to the forensic analyses used in courts across the ,united ,states4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate committees of congress ,the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,board ,the term ,board means the ,forensic ,science ,standards ,board established under section #e7;b77#a74 7#c7 ,forensic science ,the term forensic science refers to the application of scientific or technical practices to the recognition1 collection1 analysis1 and interpretation of evidence to establish opinions1 facts1 and findings that can be used for criminal and civil law or regulatory purposes4 7#d7 ,forensic science community ,the term forensic science community means forensic science practitioners1 agencies1 and service providers1 forensic medicolegal death investigators1 medical examiners or coroners1 agencies1 and service providers1 various scientists1 and forensic organizational members with applied scientific and technical knowledge of and proximity to the area of forensic science4 7#e7 ,forensic science practitioner ,the term forensic science practitioner means an individual who-- 7,a7 applies scientific or technical practices to the recognition1 collection1 analysis1 or interpretation of evidence for criminal and civil law or regulatory purposes2 and 7,b7 issues test results1 provides reports1 or provides interpretations1 conclusions1 or opinions through testimony with respect to such evidence4 7#f7 ,organization ,the term ,organization means the ,organization of ,scientific ,area ,committees for ,forensic ,science established under section #e7;a77#a74 7#g7 ,nongovernmental standards development organizations ,the term nongovernmental standards development organization means a standards developing organization as defined in section #b7;e7 of ,office of ,management and ,budget ,circular ,a-#aai 7relating to ,federal participation in the development and use of voluntary consensus standards in conformity assessment activities71 or any successor document4 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,commerce4 #d4 ,national forensic science research coordination and strategy 7a7 ,interagency working group on forensic science 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy shall establish an interagency working group 7referred to in this section as the ,working ,group7 for the purpose of coordinating ,federal investments relating to1 and developing a research strategy for1 forensic science4 7#b7 ,membership 7,a7 ,composition ,the ,working ,group shall be composed of members as follows3 7i7 ,one or more members selected by the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation as the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation considers appropriate4 7ii7 ,one or more members selected by the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology as the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology considers appropriate4 7iii7 ,one or more members selected by the ,attorney ,general as the ,attorney ,general considers appropriate1 which shall include a representative with expertise in conducting scientific research4 7iv7 ,one or more members selected by the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy as the ,director considers appropriate4 7v7 ,such additional members from such other ,federal agencies responsible for conducting forensic science research or that have expertise in conducting and funding scientific research as the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy considers appropriate4 7,b7 ,requirement ,each member of the ,working ,group appointed under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be an employee of the ,federal ,government4 7#c7 ,chairperson and vice chairperson 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,working ,group shall select a ,chairperson and ,vice ,chairperson from among the members of the ,working ,group4 7,b7 ,term ,the terms of the ,chairperson and the ,vice ,chairperson of the ,working ,group shall each be for periods of #b years4 7,c7 ,rotating basis ,after the initial terms of the ,chairperson and ,vice ,chairperson of the ,working ,group1 such positions shall be filled on a rotating basis from the members of the ,working group for successive #b-year terms4 7#d7 ,research strategy 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act and not less frequently than once every #b years thereafter until the termination of the ,working ,group1 the ,working ,group shall publish a research strategy for the ,federal ,government on forensic science4 7,b7 ,contents ,the strategy required by subparagraph 7,a7 shall include the following3 7i7 ,specification of priority areas1 including specific milestones and objectives as appropriate1 for the short-term and long-term research necessary-- 7,i7 to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science disciplines1 including emerging disciplines2 and 7,,ii7 to provide the scientific basis for the development and updating of forensic science standards pursuant to section #e4 7ii7 ,a description of the role of each relevant ,federal agency in supporting the specific areas of research identified under clause 7i74 7iii7 ,a description of common metrics and other evaluation criteria that will be used to assess progress toward achieving the priorities1 milestones1 and objectives identified under clause 7i71 consistent with the mission of each ,federal agency specified under clause 7ii74 7iv7 ,recommendations1 if any1 for policies to support the implementation of the research strategy1 including opportunities for new or expanded interagency collaborations4 7v7 ,a description of the options1 if any1 for a ,federal ,government role in helping to ensure the viability of a nongovernmental standards development organization for the promulgation of forensic science standards developed under section #e4 7vi7 ,a description of changes or progress since the publication of the previous research strategy4 7#e7 ,consultation required ,in developing the research strategy under paragraph 7#d71 the ,working ,group shall consult with stakeholders1 including forensic science practitioners1 forensic science working groups within the ,office of ,justice ,programs of the ,department of ,justice1 the ,organization of ,scientific ,area ,committees 7,,osac7 for ,forensic ,science of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 statisticians1 criminal justice stakeholders1 and research scientists to ensure that the strategy takes into account practical applications and implementation of the research4 7#f7 ,termination ,the ,working ,group established under paragraph 7#a7 shall terminate on the date that is #aj years after the date on which such working group is established4 7b7 ,implementation ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 and the ,attorney ,general1 shall continue to advance the foundation and practice of forensic science in the ,united ,states by-- 7#a7 conducting or supporting research in forensic science1 consistent with the ,federal research strategy developed under subsection 7a77#c72 7#b7 building relationships between members of the forensic science community and researchers at universities2 7#c7 encouraging and promoting the education and training of a diverse group of people to be leaders in the interdisciplinary field of forensic science2 and 7#d7 broadly disseminating the results of the research conducted or supported under paragraph 7#a74 #e4 ,facilitating development and distribution of forensic science standards 7a7 ,organization of ,scientific ,area ,committees for ,forensic ,science 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology 7referred to in this section as the ,director71 shall establish within the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology an organization to facilitate the development of forensic science standards4 7#b7 ,designation ,the organization established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be known as the ,organization of ,scientific ,area ,committees for ,forensic ,science4 7#c7 ,composition ,the ,organization shall be composed of the following3 7,a7 ,the ,forensic ,science and ,standards ,board established under subsection 7b74 7,b7 ,each scientific area committee established under subsection 7c74 7#d7 ,duties of the ,organization ,the duties of the ,organization are as follows3 7,a7 ,facilitate the development and distribution of scientifically sound1 consensus-based documentary standards and guidelines for forensic science1 including through formal collaboration with nongovernmental standards development organizations4 7,b7 ,establish a registry of scientifically sound forensic science standards and guidelines approved and endorsed by the ,organization4 7,c7 ,establish a process for regularly re-evaluating existing standards and guidelines published for placement on the registry established under subparagraph 7,b74 7,d7 ,promote the adoption by the forensic science community of the standards and guidelines described in subparagraph 7,a7 and included in the registry established under subparagraph 7,b74 7b7 ,forensic ,science ,standards ,board 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director1 shall establish within the ,organization a board to oversee the operations of the ,organization and its committees4 7#b7 ,designation ,the board established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be known as the ,forensic ,science ,standards ,board4 7#c7 ,composition ,the ,board shall be composed of the following3 7,a7 ,members selected by the ,secretary to serve on the ,board from each of the following3 7i7 ,members of the forensic science community4 7ii7 ,scientists and engineers with relevant expertise at institutions of higher education and other nonprofit research organizations4 7iii7 ,statisticians4 7iv7 ,a representative of each of the task groups established under subsection 7d71 as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7v7 ,such other communities or sectors as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7,b7 ,the chairpersons of the scientific area committees established under subsection 7c74 7#d7 ,duties ,the duties of the ,board are as follows3 7,a7 ,oversee all operations of the ,organization1 including the committees of the ,organization4 7,b7 ,establish governance rules and policies for the ,organization4 7,c7 ,facilitate communication within the ,organization and between the ,organization1 the criminal justice community1 and the forensic science community4 7,d7 ,oversee the reviewing and approving process of standards to be added to the registry established under subsection 7a77#d77;,b74 7#e7 ,authority to approve standards for listing in registry of forensic science standards and guidelines ,the ,board may approve standards for listing on the registry established under subsection 7a77#d77;,b74 7c7 ,scientific area committees 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director1 shall establish one or more scientific area committees to carry out the work of the ,organization4 7#b7 ,membership 7,a7 ,composition ,each scientific area committee established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be composed of the following3 7i7 ,the chairperson of the scientific area committee4 7ii7 ,the vice chairperson of the scientific area committee4 7iii7 ,the chairperson of each subcommittee established under paragraph 7#c7 for each scientific area committee under paragraph 7#a74 7,b7 ,chairperson and vice chairperson 7i7 ,in general ,for each scientific area committee established under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall appoint a chairperson and a vice chairperson for the scientific area committee from among individuals with expertise in the subject area of the scientific area committee4 7ii7 ,service ,each chairperson and vice chairperson appointed under clause 7i7 shall serve as a chairperson or vice chairperson at the pleasure of the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,subcommittees 7,a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary may establish such subcommittees in a scientific area committee established under paragraph 7#a7 as the ,secretary considers appropriate to assist in the work of the scientific area committee4 7,b7 ,membership ,each subcommittee established under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be composed of such members selected by the ,secretary from among the following3 7i7 ,forensic science practitioners4 7ii7 ,scientists and engineers at institutions of higher education and other nonprofit research organizations4 7iii7 ,statisticians4 7iv7 ,representatives of the legal community4 7v7 ,such others as the ,secretary considers appropriate for purposes of this section4 7#d7 ,duties ,the duties of a scientific area committee established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be as follows3 7,a7 ,coordinate the operation and activities of specific forensic science discipline subcommittees in order to encourage communication across all subject- and discipline-specific subcommittees4 7,b7 ,provide the public with the opportunity to engage the forensic science community in matters relating to priorities1 standards1 and guidelines4 7,c7 ,address topics of high importance to the forensic community1 such as matters relating to the following3 7i7 ,biology4 7ii7 ,chemistry1 including-- 7,i7 matters relating to seized drugs and toxicology2 and 7,,ii7 matters relating to trace evidence4 7iii7 ,scene examination4 7iv7 ,medicine4 7v7 ,digital and multimedia4 7vi7 ,physics and pattern interpretation4 7vii7 ,computational forensic algorithms4 7,d7 ,further the development of standards under subsection 7e77#a7 and other guidelines4 7d7 ,resource task groups 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,board1 shall establish legal1 human factors1 quality1 and statistics task groups to support and assist the ,organization with matters relating to questions of law1 human factors1 ethical and social implications of technology1 workflow processes1 quality assurance1 and statistics4 7#b7 ,membership ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,board1 shall ensure that each task group established under paragraph 7#a7 is composed of voting members of the subcommittees established under subsection 7c77#c7 who have relevant expertise4 7#c7 ,chairpersons ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,board1 shall appoint a chairperson of each task group established under paragraph 7#a74 7e7 ,forensic science standards development process 7#a7 ,standards development process ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,organization1 shall implement a process to facilitate the development of scientifically sound1 consensus-based forensic standards and guidelines1 consistent with the duties described for each entity established under this section4 7#b7 ,technical review 7,a7 ,process required ,the ,secretary shall establish a process for technical peer review to provide feedback on a draft of a standard or guideline to a relevant subcommittee of a scientific area committee before such standard or guideline is submitted to a nongovernmental standards development organization or submitted for inclusion in a registry of forensic standards or guidelines4 7,b7 ,participants ,the process established under subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 may include members of the ,organization2 and 7ii7 shall include additional volunteer experts from the forensic science community and the academic research community4 7#c7 ,public comment 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide for public comment on draft standards prior to inclusion in the registry of forensic science standards and guidelines established under subsection 7a77#d77;,b74 7,b7 ,comments from research task groups ,the ,secretary shall ensure that-- 7i7 each resource task group established under subsection 7d7 may submit1 as a group1 comments on draft standards described in subparagraph 7,a72 and 7ii7 any comments submitted under clause 7i71 and any adjudication of such comments by the ,organization1 are made available to the public4 7#d7 ,submission to standards developing organization ,the ,secretary shall ensure that standards proposed by the ,organization and approved for the registry of forensic science standards and guidelines established under subsection 7a77#d77;,b7 are submitted to a nongovernmental standards development organization for review and formal adoption as standards4 7#e7 ,grants ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director1 shall award grants through a competitive process-- 7,a7 to support activities under paragraph 7#c72 and 7,b7 to ensure that the standards approved for inclusion in the registry of forensic science standards and guidelines required by subsection 7a77#d77;,b7 are submitted to a nongovernmental standards development organization4 7f7 ,forensic standards for authenticating digital evidence 7#a7 ,furthering development of standards 7,a7 ,in general ,the subcommittee addressing digital and multimedia1 or any successor thereto1 shall develop standards for validating or assessing the authenticity of digital content1 including content created by technologies that synthesize or manipulate digital content such as deepfakes4 7,b7 ,collaboration ,in carrying out subparagraph 7,a71 the subcommittee described in such subparagraph shall collaborate with the forensic science community and experts who study advanced techniques for digital content manipulation1 including those in academia and government entities such as the ,defense ,advanced ,research ,projects ,agency 7,,darpa74 7#b7 ,resource development ,the ,organization shall develop and compile resources and materials for use by the forensic science community in developing standards to authenticate digital materials4 7#c7 ,congressional briefing ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director1 shall provide the appropriate committees of ,congress a briefing on the status of efforts undertaken pursuant to this subsection4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #f1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbf1 of which #a1jjj1jjj shall be available in each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbf to carry out subsection 7e77#d74 #f4 ,foundational research ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall conduct foundational studies to-- 7#a7 identify and document the technical merit and validity of select forensic science methods1 practices1 and disciplines1 including their capabilities1 limitations1 and knowledge gaps2 and 7#b7 identify opportunities for advancements in forensic methods1 practices1 and disciplines through additional research and improvements to practice4