Bills · HR 7916
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7916Crime and Law Enforcement
CODIS Access Modernization Act
INTRO MAR 12· LAST ACTION MAR 12
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it aims to tackle a significant bottleneck in criminal investigations: the backlog and delays in processing DNA evidence. When DNA evidence sits unprocessed, or its entry into the national database is delayed, it can mean that violent criminals remain at large longer, potentially committing more crimes. By allowing qualified private labs to directly upload DNA profiles, the bill intends to accelerate investigations, increase the number of DNA matches, and help law enforcement identify and apprehend offenders more quickly.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to faster resolution of cold cases, more timely arrests in ongoing investigations, and potentially a reduction in violent crime rates. If it doesn't become law, the current system of mandatory redundant reviews for private lab data will likely continue, contributing to existing backlogs and delays, which can prolong victim suffering and allow serial offenders to remain unidentified for longer periods.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Authorizes eligible privately owned and operated forensic DNA testing laboratories to directly upload qualifying DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System (NDIS).
This central change aims to reduce backlogs and speed up the entry of critical DNA evidence into the national database, assisting law enforcement investigations.
PROVISION 02
Requires the Department of Justice and FBI to issue regulations within six months of enactment, outlining eligibility criteria, upload procedures, and security/privacy safeguards for private labs.
These regulations will ensure that direct access for private labs is implemented safely, securely, and consistently with federal law, protecting sensitive data.
PROVISION 03
Defines "privately owned and operated forensic evidence DNA testing laboratory" with strict criteria, including five consecutive years of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and biennial external audits for FBI Quality Assurance Standards compliance.
This ensures that only highly qualified and rigorously vetted private labs with a proven track record of quality and compliance are granted direct access to the national database.
PROVISION 04
Limits the authority of private labs to only uploading qualifying DNA profiles, explicitly preventing them from searching, querying, or retrieving information from the NDIS.
This safeguard restricts private lab access to only what is necessary for their function, maintaining the security and integrity of the national database.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
31
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAR 12
Introduced in House
MAR 12
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 7916
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 12, 2026
Last actionMar 12, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 12, 2026
House BillHR 7916Crime and Law Enforcement
CODIS Access Modernization Act
INTRODUCED MAR 12, 2026· LAST ACTION MAR 12, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
