Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7916
CODIS Access Modernization Act
Rep. Nehls Introduces Bill to Let Private Labs Upload DNA to National Database
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and is being reviewed by the House Committee on the Judiciary. It is actively moving forward, but there are no specific dates set for future votes or hearings at this time.
Legislative Progress
House
Key Points
- This bill would allow accredited private DNA testing labs to upload DNA profiles directly to the national DNA database (NDIS), a system currently limited to government-run labs. This would end the requirement for costly, time-consuming redundant reviews by public labs before DNA evidence enters the system.
From policy text
“The Attorney General shall allow eligible privately owned and operated forensic evidence DNA testing laboratories to directly upload qualifying DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System (NDIS).”
View in full text - The bill aims to speed up criminal investigations, especially for violent crimes like rape and murder. Congress notes that DNA testing backlogs let dangerous repeat offenders stay free and continue committing crimes, and that faster database uploads would increase matches, arrests, and case resolutions.
From policy text
“These delays may hinder the identification and apprehension of violent offenders, allowing serial perpetrators of crimes such as rape and homicide to remain unidentified and potentially continue victimizing additional individuals.”
View in full text - Private labs would only be allowed to upload data, not search or retrieve anything from the database. This is a key privacy safeguard that limits their role strictly to submitting qualifying DNA profiles under FBI oversight.
From policy text
“Nothing in this Act shall be construed to grant privately owned and operated forensic DNA laboratories access to search, query, or retrieve information from the National DNA Index System beyond the authorized submission of qualifying DNA profiles in accordance with Federal Bureau of Investigation regulations and applicable law.”
View in full text - To qualify, a private lab must have at least five consecutive years of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, pass external audits every two years against FBI quality standards, and follow all NDIS rules. The DOJ and FBI must issue implementing regulations within six months of enactment.
From policy text
“has been accredited for a minimum of five consecutive years to the ISO/IEC 17025 standards by a nationally recognized nonprofit professional association of persons actively involved in forensic science”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)
Milestones
2 milestones2 actions
Mar 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced in House
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
CODIS Access Modernization Act
Bill NumberHR 7916
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.