CODIS Access Modernization Act

This bill, known as the CODIS Access Modernization Act, would allow accredited private forensic DNA laboratories to directly upload DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System, which is currently restricted to government-run labs. The legislation requires private labs to meet the same quality standards as public facilities, including ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and regular FBI audits, while prohibiting them from searching or retrieving DNA data from the system. The Department of Justice and FBI would establish specific regulations within six months of enactment to define eligibility criteria and security safeguards for this new access. The primary goal is to reduce DNA testing backlogs and speed up criminal investigations by expanding the number of facilities that can contribute directly to the national DNA database.