CODIS Access Modernization Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7916
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-12: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-01T18:11:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The CODIS Access Modernization Act (H.R. 7916) aims to speed up DNA evidence processing in criminal investigations by allowing qualified private forensic DNA labs to directly upload DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System (NDIS), part of the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). This addresses backlogs in public labs, reduces delays in identifying offenders, and leverages private sector expertise while maintaining strict standards.
Key Provisions
- Findings (Sec. 2): Congress highlights DNA testing delays due to backlogs and limited private lab access, emphasizing public safety benefits, costs of unsolved crimes, and precedents for private entities in sensitive roles.
- Direct Access Authorization (Sec. 3):
- The Attorney General must permit eligible private labs (not government-owned) to upload qualifying DNA profiles (those meeting FBI standards) directly to NDIS.
- DOJ and FBI must issue regulations within 6 months covering eligibility, upload procedures, security/privacy safeguards, and compliance.
- Private labs get upload-only access—no searching, querying, or retrieving data from NDIS.
- Eligibility criteria for private labs:
- Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards (international quality management for testing labs) for at least 5 consecutive years by a recognized forensic science association.
- External audits every 2 years confirming FBI Quality Assurance Standards.
- Compliance with federal limits on DNA sample/record access, NDIS Memorandum of Understanding, and operational procedures.
- Conforming Amendments (Sec. 4): Updates to FBI regulations, policies, NDIS documents as needed.
- Effective Date (Sec. 5): Immediate upon enactment, with regulations due in 6 months.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends title 34, U.S. Code, to end the restriction barring accredited private labs from direct NDIS uploads, eliminating mandatory redundant reviews by public labs that currently cause delays of days to years.
- Builds on existing FBI standards but expands participation to non-government labs meeting identical quality and compliance requirements.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Reduces workload on public forensic labs and FBI; streamlines operations via public-private partnerships.
- Citizens/Victims: Faster DNA matches could lead to quicker arrests of violent offenders (e.g., rapists, murderers), preventing future crimes and providing swifter justice.
- Law Enforcement: Accelerated investigative leads across jurisdictions, higher case resolution rates.
- No direct impacts on international relations noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Private Forensic DNA Labs: Gain direct NDIS upload rights if eligible, enabling faster service to clients.
- FBI/DOJ: Responsible for oversight, regulations, audits, and system security.
- Public Forensic Labs and Law Enforcement: Benefit from reduced backlogs and shared capacity.
- Victims and Public: Indirectly gain from enhanced public safety and crime prevention.
- Federal/State/Local/Military Agencies: Easier access to timely DNA processing for cases.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal privacy/security laws with "strict regulatory safeguards" and limited access; aligns with precedents like private entities accessing NCIC for child cases or handling national security functions.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; upholds due process by improving evidence timeliness without expanding government surveillance.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan goals of public safety, victim rights, and efficient use of private sector, while addressing national security concerns from cross-jurisdictional crimes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-12: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-03-12: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- CODIS Access Modernization Act — issued 2026-03-12 — PDF (8 pages)