Carla Walker Act
Sponsored By: Representative Hunt
Introduced
Summary
Expands funding for forensic genetic genealogy. The Carla Walker Act would create two DOJ grant streams to pay for advanced DNA analyses and buy equipment while requiring labs to follow DOJ policy and report results.
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- Families: Grants target cases where CODIS yields no leads and unidentified human remains, improving the chance of victim identification and closure.
- Law enforcement and prosecutors: Authorizes competitive grants to run whole genome sequencing that assesses at least 100,000 genetic markers and works with multiple genealogy databases to generate investigative leads.
- Forensic labs and medical examiners: One grant stream pays for outsourced or in-house genetic genealogy analyses but not equipment. A separate stream funds purchase of equipment, supplies, reagents, and validation for accredited public labs and medical examiners.
- Oversight and accountability: Recipients must follow DOJ's November 1, 2019 Interim Policy on forensic genealogical DNA analysis and searching, provide detailed case and testing reports, and DOJ must review implementation and funding needs for Congress within two years.
*Would authorize $5.0 million per year for each grant program for fiscal years 2024–2028, about $10.0 million annually total, increasing federal spending authority during that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Defines which labs qualify for grants
If enacted, the bill would define key terms for these grants. “Forensic analysis” would mean expert tests on physical evidence, like DNA, to link it to a crime. “Forensic laboratory” would mean a lab that is accredited or is seeking accreditation within two years, and that follows chain‑of‑custody rules so results can be used in court.
Grants for forensic genealogy DNA work
If enacted, the government would fund two competitive grants for forensic genealogy. Each program would get $5 million a year for fiscal years 2024–2028. One grant would pay for whole‑genome DNA analyses (100,000+ markers, multi‑database compatible) when CODIS searches fail or to identify likely homicide victims. The other would pay for equipment, supplies, reagents, consumables, and validation to run this work. Analysis work could be outsourced to accredited labs or to labs that attest they will seek accreditation within two years. Analysis grants could not pay for staffing, training, travel, or equipment; all work would follow DOJ’s 2019 Interim Policy (or its successor). DOJ could use up to 10% for administration.
Audit and reporting rules for grantees
If enacted, grant recipients would face added oversight. They would have to keep records for audits and follow federal suspension and debarment rules (2 C.F.R. part 180). DOJ could review books and records of recipients, related state or local governments, and any outsourced labs. Within one year of getting a grant, each recipient would have to report funding received, cases tested, methods and equipment used, and any outside lab names. Reports would show outcomes, including whether profiles were searchable, identifications were made, arrests or victim IDs resulted, and the average days to deliver results.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hunt
TX • R
Cosponsors
Swalwell
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Van Drew
NJ • R
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Fedorchak
ND • R
Sponsored 9/17/2025
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Harris (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]
MO • R
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31]
TX • R
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Simpson
ID • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Reschenthaler
PA • R
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov