I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8395 
To conduct a study on the spread of COVID–19-related disinformation and 
misinformation on the internet and social media platforms, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 
Ms. WEXTON (for herself, Mr. BEYER, Mr. CASTEN of Illinois, Mr. FOSTER, 
and Mr. RASKIN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To conduct a study on the spread of COVID–19-related 
disinformation and misinformation on the internet and 
social media platforms, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘COVID–19 
Disinformation Research and Reporting Act of 2020’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The National Academies of Sciences, Engi-
neering, and Medicine and the National Science 
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Foundation have provided scientific, evidence-based 
findings and foundational research, across all dis-
ciplines, that benefit the people of the United States. 
(2) Accurate and reliable information is impera-
tive for health and safety during a national emer-
gency like the COVID–19 pandemic. 
(3) Disinformation and misinformation have 
spread alarmingly during the COVID–19 pandemic, 
hindering the public response efforts of Federal, 
State, local, and indigenous leaders. 
(4) The internet and social media have made it 
easier to spread fake medical information, such as 
unproven treatments for COVID–19, or inaccurate 
information that undermines scientific experts. 
(5) COVID–19-related disinformation has been 
weaponized by foreign adversaries, including Russia, 
China, and Iran, through the use of fake social 
media accounts and bot networks to amplify content. 
(6) Understanding the financial incentives for 
entities spreading and amplifying disinformation and 
misinformation can help to combat its distribution. 
SEC. 
3. 
SCIENCE 
STUDY 
ON 
COVID–19-RELATED 
DISINFORMATION AND MISINFORMATION. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Director of the National 
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Science Foundation shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine to conduct a study on the current understanding 
of the spread of COVID–19-related disinformation and 
misinformation on the internet and social media plat-
forms. The study shall address— 
(1) the roles disinformation and misinformation 
have played in the public response to COVID–19; 
(2) the sources, both foreign and domestic, of 
COVID–19-related disinformation and misinforma-
tion, 
and 
the 
mechanisms 
by 
which 
that 
disinformation and misinformation influence the 
public debate; 
(3) the role social media plays in the dissemina-
tion 
and 
promotion 
of 
COVID–19-related 
disinformation and misinformation content and the 
role social media platforms play in the organization 
of groups seeking to spread COVID–19-related 
disinformation and misinformation; 
(4) the potential financial returns for creators 
or distributors of COVID–19-related disinformation 
and misinformation and the role such financial in-
centives play in the propagation of COVID–19-re-
lated disinformation and misinformation; 
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(5) potential strategies to mitigate the dissemi-
nation and negative impacts of COVID–19-related 
disinformation and misinformation (and specifically 
the dissemination of disinformation and misinforma-
tion on social media), including through improved 
disclosures and addressing information literacy; and 
(6) an analysis of— 
(A) the limitations of the mitigation strate-
gies described in paragraph (5); and 
(B) how the strategies can be implemented 
without infringing on the constitutional rights 
and civil liberties of the people of the United 
States. 
(b) REPORT.—In entering into an arrangement under 
this section, the Director of the National Science Founda-
tion shall request that the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine transmit to Congress a report 
on the results of the study not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION.—There is authorized to be ap-
propriated, for the purposes of conducting the study under 
this section, $1,000,000. 
Æ 
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