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117th Congress (2020-2022) Legislation and Funding

Federal Research Interests

Coverdell Grant Qualifications

Standards Development Organization Funding

CFSO supports authorization and appropriation for forensic science standards development at forensic science standards development organizations.

2021 Priorities

CFSO identifies our top priorities for 2021.

BJS Census

CFSO supports the BJS Census Efforts.

Justice for All Reauthorization Act

CFSO supports the Justice for All Reauthorization Act.

ME/C Support Legislation and NamUs Authorization

CFSO supports legislation for Forensic Pathologist loan reimbursement and funding for Forensic Pathology Fellowships.  CFSO also supports funding for MDI education and training.  NamUs must be a codified program in the federal government.

Fentanyl Bill

This bill extends until October 22, 2021, the temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The bill was signed into law on May 4, 2021.

The previous order (PL 116-114) extended the last scheduling and also requested a GAO report to look at the matter. Titled “Synthetic Opioids, Considerations for the Class-Wide Scheduling of Fentanyl-Related Substances” (attached). The GAO report was sent to Congress in April 2021.

The GAO report provides analyzed documents, data and statements for Federal, state and local stakeholders. It focused on the “effects related to drug classification, research, and federal law enforcement and effects from the classification of similar substances.”

FY22 Budget

 The President has released the proposed FY22 budget detail. It is a budget with good news for the forensic science community as the funding is more robust. Please note that there is also new funding for regional Sexual Assault Training Facilities. Below you will find detail of that budget and we will keep you apprised of any activity as these proposed requests move through the congressional approval process. Of note, CDC has also added a significant amount of funding regarding sexual assault. 

FY23 Budget

CFSO is preparing for FY23 by engaging our federal partners as they prepare their budget related to forensic science.  You can see our letters to these agency heads from the links below.

FY24 Budget

CFSO is preparing for FY24 by engaging our federal partners as they prepare their budget related to forensic science.  You can see our letters to these agency heads from the links below.