Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6106
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]
Introduced: 2012-07-12 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Commerce
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
National Science Foundation
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-12
text: 
Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2012 - Establishes a national forensic science research program to improve, expand, and coordinate federal research in forensic sciences. 
 
Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to develop a report identifying the most critical forensic science disciplines that require further research to strengthen the scientific foundation in those disciplines and making recommendations. 
 
Establishes a National Forensic Science Coordinating Office at the NSF to coordinate among federal agencies: (1) the development of a unified federal research strategy to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science disciplines; (2) the development of a five-year roadmap, updated triennially, for the unified strategy; and (3) any necessary programs, policies, and budgets to support implementation of the roadmap. 
 
Directs NSF to create a merit-reviewed, competitive forensic science research grants program to improve the foundation and practice of forensic science in the United States, based on recommendations in the unified strategy.
 
Requires NSF to: (1) establish two forensic science research centers to conduct research consistent with the unified strategy, (2) award a grant of up to $10 million to each center, and (3) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the grants program every four years.
 
Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to identify or coordinate the development of forensic science standards to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science activities. 
 
Instructs NIST to establish a Forensic Science Advisory Committee to provide advice to federal agencies, NIST, and the Department of Justice. 
 
Instructs the Attorney General to promote the adoption of the standards developed under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.
action_date: 2012-08-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education.
action_date: 2012-07-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2012-07-12
text: 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.
action_date: 2012-07-12
text: 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.
action_date: 2012-07-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-07-12
text: Introduced in House