Improving Justice Programs through Science Act of 2021
Key claim: This bill would reestablish and provide permanent statutory authority for the Department of Justice’s Science Advisory Board to ensure scientific evidence guides federal justice programs and research.
Abstract
(S2563 · 117th Congress) Improving Justice Programs through Science Act of 2021 This bill reestablishes the Science Advisory Board within the Department of Justice (DOJ). Specifically, it provides statutory authority for the board. Previously, the board was created in 2010 by DOJ and terminated in 2018. Latest action (2021-07-29): Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Why this matters
The proposal would have restored a formal scientific advisory mechanism for DOJ programs and research after the board’s 2018 termination, giving it permanent statutory authority. It concerned the governance of scientific input rather than a new grant mechanism or funding award, and its non-enactment meant it did not establish that authority.