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S1890119th Congress

Carla Walker Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Passed Senate

Summary

Federal grants to expand whole genome sequencing and forensic genetic genealogy, with Justice Department oversight and privacy safeguards. This law funds targeted DNA analyses when CODIS searches fail, plus equipment and genealogical database searching, while setting consent, confidentiality, and use limits.

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  • Families and victims: Enables additional testing for cold cases and analysis of unidentified human remains to generate leads and possible identifications.
  • State, Tribal, and local labs and prosecutors: Makes publicly funded accredited forensic laboratories and prosecutor offices eligible for competitive grants to run whole genome sequencing that assesses at least 100,000 genetic markers and is compatible with genealogical databases. A separate grant stream funds equipment purchases and genealogical database searching.
  • Privacy, legal limits, and oversight: Requires a CODIS-first search, restricts arrests based solely on genetic associations, requires notice to genealogy service users, forbids medical or health inferences, limits authorized users, mandates DOJ rulemaking within one year, and requires recipient reporting and audits.

*Authorizes $5.0 million per year for FY2027–FY2031 for the WGS/FGG grant program, increasing federal spending by at least those amounts.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants to expand forensic DNA tools

This bill would create two DOJ grant programs. One would fund whole genome DNA analysis that checks at least 100,000 markers and works with genealogy databases. It would pay for testing case evidence or unidentified remains, and allow outsourcing to accredited labs, but only after a CODIS search finds no confirmed match. This money would not pay for staffing, training, travel, or equipment, and up to 10% could be used for DOJ administration. A second grant would buy equipment, supplies, and validation and would pay for genealogy-database searching. Each program would authorize $5 million a year for fiscal years 2027–2031.

Stronger privacy rules for genetic genealogy

Law enforcement would not be allowed to arrest someone only because of a genealogy match. DNA and profiles would be used only to identify people, not to predict disease or psychological traits. Agencies would have to tell genealogy sites they are police and use sites that clearly warn users about law‑enforcement use. Before taking a reference DNA sample from a third party, agencies would seek informed consent unless that would compromise a case. Any covert DNA collection would have to follow state and federal law. Agencies would keep profiles and account data confidential and, when possible, block other users from seeing them.

Audits and rules for these grants

Grant recipients would have to keep records for DOJ audits, including for outsourced work and sample and data controls. The Attorney General would be able to review related books and records. DOJ would issue rules for using genetic genealogy within one year of enactment. DOJ would report to Congress within three years on awards, practices, best tech, funding needs, and whether more rules are needed. DOJ would follow federal suspension and debarment rules.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cornyn, John [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 5/22/2025

  • Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 12/15/2025

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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