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119-hr-10426119th Congress
Backlog Justice Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
Introduced
Summary
The Backlog Justice Act of 2026 would create a federal effort to reduce sexual assault kit backlogs by improving how evidence is tracked, tested, and supported. It would build a public national database, fund FBI-led training and lab validation, and boost grants for states that run public kit-tracking systems.
Show full summary
- Survivors and advocates would gain clearer visibility into kit status through a publicly accessible, anonymized national database and by encouraging state websites that show each stage of kit processing.
- State and local forensic labs would get workforce and technology support. The FBI could run training for new analysts and technical leaders and help validate lab tools, with authorizations of about $5.0 million per year for training and $10.0 million per year for validation for FY2027–2031.
- States would be rewarded for electronic evidence tracking. A state with a qualifying tracking website could receive up to a 10% increase in STOP grant funds for two years, with that boost allowed up to four times. The Attorney General would also produce periodic reports and a strategic plan on forensic needs every three years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
FBI DNA validation and sharing
If enacted, the FBI would run a validation and technology transfer program with State and local labs to research new DNA methods. The FBI could publish validated technologies, analytical protocols, and validation data for lab use. Congress would authorize $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for this program.
FBI training for evidence analysts
If enacted, the FBI would run training programs for people who test sexual assault evidence. Training could happen at the FBI lab or at State and local labs. The programs would include a DNA Technical Leader course with in-person and remote sessions. Congress would authorize $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to run this work.
Public sexual assault kit database
If enacted, the Attorney General would create a public online database with anonymized, combined data from State and local inventories of sexual assault kits. The site would show an estimate of how long each reporting lab takes to test a kit. The database must be updated at least once a year and be publicly accessible.
State grant boost for kit tracking
If enacted, starting in fiscal year 2027 a State with a qualifying online tracking website for sexual assault kits could get up to a 10% increase to its part T STOP grant. The increase would apply for two years each time and may be awarded no more than four times per State. Congress would authorize $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this section.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Cosponsors
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Sponsored 10/22/2026
Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]
MO • R
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]
NC • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]
PA • R
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
ME • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
FL • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov