Forensic Science Research and Standards Act of 2020
Latest action · Sep 14, 2020 Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Progress
Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.
- IntroducedSep 14, 2020
- Passed HouseNot reached
- Passed SenateNot reached
- To the PresidentNot reached
- Became lawNot reached
Summary
Forensic Science Research and Standards Act of 2020
This bill establishes various entities to develop and distribute forensic science standards.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall establish an interagency working group to coordinate federal investments related to, and develop a research strategy for, forensic science and publish such strategy once every two years.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shall establish the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science to facilitate the development of forensic science standards. NIST shall establish scientific area committees to carry out the work of the organization and a Forensic Science Standards Board to oversee the operation of the organization and its committees.
NIST shall conduct foundational studies to (1) identify and document the technical merit and validity of select forensic science methods, practices, and disciplines; and (2) identify opportunities for advancements in forensic methods, practices, and disciplines through additional research and improvements to practice.
Cosponsors 1
Members who signed on, in the order they did. All signed on Sep 14, 2020.
| Seat | Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-OK | Frank D. Lucas | Original | Sep 14, 2020 |
Committees 2
Where it was sent and what each committee and subcommittee did with it, in order.
| Chamber | Committee | What it did |
|---|---|---|
| House | Science, Space, and Technology Committee | Referred Sep 14, 2020 |
| House | Judiciary Committee | Referred Sep 14, 2020 |
Actions 2
Everything that happened, newest first.
- Sep 14, 2020Introduced in House
- Sep 14, 2020Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Research
What has been written about this bill: committee reports, cost estimates, the sponsor’s authority statement, printed hearings and the Congressional Research Service’s work.
Constitutional authority
The sponsor’s statement, as printed in the Congressional Record, vol. 166, no. 158, September 14, 2020, page H4381.
Related bills 1
Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.
| Bill | Title | Relationship | Latest action |
|---|---|---|---|
| S 4568 | Forensic Science Research and Standards Act of 2020 | Related bill | Sep 16, 2020 |
Titles 2
Every title it has carried, official and short, at each stage.
- Official Title as Introduced
- 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 Science, and for other purposes.
- Short Title(s) as Introduced
- Forensic Science Research and Standards Act of 2020
Subjects
Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications.
- Advisory bodies
- Biological and life sciences
- Chemistry
- Computers and information technology
- Congressional oversight
- Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
- Digital media
- Evidence and witnesses
- Intergovernmental relations
- Research administration and funding
- Science, Technology, Communications
Text 1
Each version as it was printed, newest first.
- Sep 14, 2020Introduced in House
Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this bill on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov; cost estimates are the Congressional Budget Office's, and the hearings are the printed hearings GovInfo publishes, which can appear months after the hearing.
