Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act of 2021

Summary

Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act of 2021 This bill establishes a federal framework to govern the use of computational forensic software. The term computational forensic software means software that relies on an automated computational process to assess evidence in a criminal investigation (e.g., facial recognition technology). The framework contains various elements, including the following: requirements for the establishment of testing standards and a testing program for computational forensic software, requirements for the use of computational forensic software by federal law enforcement agencies and related entities (e.g., crime labs), a ban on the use of trade secret evidentiary privilege to prevent federal criminal defendants from accessing evidence collected using computational forensic software or information about the software (e.g., source code), and limits on the admissibility of evidence collected using computational forensic software.

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Timeline

1. 8 April 2021

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 8 April 2021

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.

   Source: Committee

3. 8 April 2021

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 8 April 2021

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 19 October 2021

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 8 April 2021 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 8 April 2021

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 8 April 2021

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 8 April 2021

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39] · D · Sponsor
• Dwight Evans · D · Sponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing
• · hssy00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act of 2024