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Congress·In Committee·9 months ago

Congress would fund advanced DNA genealogy tools to help states solve cold cases and identify remains

Also known as: Carla Walker Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(1)
Criminal Record
Neutral
Positive Impacts(3)
Tribal Member
Helps
Child Tax Credit
Helps
Small Business Owner
Helps

Key Points

  • Congress would let the Justice Department give competitive grants to states, local agencies, and medical examiners to use advanced DNA testing to help solve crimes.
  • Grants focus on using whole-genome DNA testing and searching certain genealogy databases to create new leads when standard law-enforcement DNA database searches don’t turn up matches.
  • Money could be used to test crime-scene samples or unidentified human remains, and labs could outsource the work to accredited labs (or labs that agree to get accredited within 2 years).
  • The bill authorizes $5 million per year from 2025 through 2029 for testing, plus another $5 million per year to help public labs buy needed forensic genealogy equipment and supplies.
  • Grant recipients must follow Justice Department rules on this kind of DNA searching, keep records for audits, and report results like cases tested, IDs made, and how long identifications took.
Criminal JusticeTechnologyData Privacy

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
May 22, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

May 22, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After enactment, once DOJ issues application rules and timelines

Justice Department sets up the grant application process and opens competitions for the two grant programs

Labs, medical examiner offices, coroners, and eligible law enforcement/prosecutor offices can start applying for money to pay for advanced DNA genealogy testing or to buy needed equipment

After first grants are awarded and contracts/equipment are in place

Grant-funded forensic genetic genealogy testing begins for eligible cases where standard DNA database searching did not produce leads

Some cold cases and unidentified remains cases may get new investigative leads or identifications that were not possible before

One year after each grantee receives its first award

Eligible entities submit required reports 1 year after they first receive a grant

The public and Congress can learn how many cases were tested, how often identifications happened, and how long results took—information that could affect future funding and rules

No later than 2 years after the Act is enacted

Attorney General submits a DOJ report to Congress on awards, technology, best practices, and recommended rules/funding needs

Could lead to updated national guidance on how this type of DNA searching is used and whether Congress expands, limits, or changes the program

Related News

5 articles
American Academy of Forensic Sciences·9 months ago

Cornyn, Welch Introduce the Carla Walker Act to Help Solve Cold Cases

Covers introduction of the Carla Walker Act and explains how forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) would be supported via federal grants to help solve cold cases.

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Congressman Wesley Hunt (press release page)·9 months ago

Rep. Hunt Reintroduces the Carla Walker Act of 2025

Announces reintroduction of the Carla Walker Act in the House; describes two $5M pilot programs to expand use of forensic genetic genealogy for cold cases and identifications.

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Senator Cornyn (press release page)·9 months ago

Cornyn, Welch Introduce the Carla Walker Act to Help Solve Cold Cases

Announcement of the Senate-introduced Carla Walker Act, framing it as expanding access to forensic genetic genealogy through federal support for investigative agencies.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Carla Walker Act

Bill NumberS 1890
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 1R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.