A Democratic bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 20 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Backlog Justice Act of 2026. It focuses on improving how sexual assault evidence is processed across the country. The legislation directs the Attorney General to create a public online database tracking sexual assault kits and testing times. It also sets up training programs for analysts and a program to research new DNA testing technologies. Additionally, the bill provides increased grant funding for states that use electronic tracking systems for sexual assault kits. Finally, it requires regular public reports on the status and needs of the forensic science community.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +6
Would women be better off under this?
The legislation directly aids survivors of sexual assault, who are predominantly women, by improving tracking systems and decreasing evidence testing backlogs.
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill creates a publicly accessible online database tracking sexual assault kits and testing times, and mandates regular public reports on forensic science needs.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?
By improving the processing and tracking of sexual assault evidence kits, the bill disproportionately benefits survivors, who are predominantly women.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: Creates a publicly accessible online database showing data on sexual assault evidence kits and estimated testing times. This is positive because it brings transparency and accountability to government agencies handling these sensitive items.
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Section 3: Authorizes training programs through the FBI for individuals hired as evidence analysts and for DNA Technical Leaders. This could be beneficial by helping increase the number of qualified professionals available to test evidence.
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Section 5: Increases grant funding for states that use a website-based electronic tracking system for sexual assault kits. This is a positive step because it allows survivors of sexual assault and their advocates to track the status of their kits from the hospital through final disposition.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 3(b): States that nothing in the section requires a State or local forensic science service provider to participate in the training programs. This could be seen as a limitation because it does not force local labs to take part, meaning some areas might choose not to benefit from the offered training.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — By improving the processing and tracking of sexual assault evidence kits, the bill disproportionately benefits survivors, who are predominantly women. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill increases transparency and grants for tracking sexual assault evidence kits, improving law enforcement accountability in handling sexual assault cases.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would women be better off under this? — The legislation directly aids survivors of sexual assault, who are predominantly women, by improving tracking systems and decreasing evidence testing backlogs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill creates a publicly accessible online database tracking sexual assault kits and testing times, and mandates regular public reports on forensic science needs.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The legislation funds research into new DNA testing technologies and processes for forensic laboratories.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill establishes a validation and technology transfer program to research new technologies and processes for processing DNA.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides funding and training programs for forensic evidence analysts, which may support job creation in forensic laboratories.
- 10/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 19 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
Ryan MackenzieRepublican · Pennsylvania
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Ann WagnerRepublican · Missouri
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey