To amend title 34, United States Code, to authorize eligible privately owned and operated forensic DNA testing laboratories to directly upload qualifying DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System, and for other purposes.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 7916 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7916 To amend title 34, United States Code, to authorize eligible privately owned and operated forensic DNA testing laboratories to directly upload qualifying DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 12, 2026 Mr. Nehls introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 34, United States Code, to authorize eligible privately owned and operated forensic DNA testing laboratories to directly upload qualifying DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``CODIS Access Modernization Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Congress recognizes the essential role that publicly operated forensic laboratories and their dedicated scientific professionals play in supporting law enforcement investigations, administering justice, and protecting public safety. However, increasing case volumes, persistent DNA testing backlogs, and the challenges associated with implementing emerging forensic technologies within government systems can delay the timely processing of critical evidence. 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. Congress further finds that strategic public-private partnerships with accredited forensic laboratories can expand testing capacity, accelerate the proce