CODIS Access Modernization Act

(a) In general. The Attorney General shall allow eligible privately owned and operated forensic evidence DNA testing laboratories to directly upload qualifying DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System (NDIS).

(b) Regulations. The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall issue regulations to implement and carry out this section, including criteria for eligibility, procedures for direct upload, security and privacy safeguards, and any other requirements necessary to ensure compliance with Federal law, not later than six months after the date of enactment.

(c) Limitation of authority. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to grant privately owned and operated forensic DNA laboratories access to search, query, or retrieve information from the National DNA Index System beyond the authorized submission of qualifying DNA profiles in accordance with Federal Bureau of Investigation regulations and applicable law.

(d) Definitions. In this section:

(1) The term privately owned and operated forensic evidence DNA testing laboratory means a private DNA forensic evidence testing laboratory that—

(A) has been accredited for a minimum of five consecutive years to the ISO/IEC 17025 standards by a nationally recognized nonprofit professional association of persons actively involved in forensic science;

(B) undergoes external audits every two years that demonstrate compliance with the Quality Assurance Standards established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

(C) demonstrates compliance with the limited access requirements for DNA samples and records in accordance with Federal law;

(D) demonstrates compliance with the provisions of the NDIS Memorandum of Understanding and the NDIS Operational Procedures Manual; and

(E) is not owned or managed by a governmental organization.

(2) The term qualifying DNA profiles means DNA profiles that meet the standards and eligibility requirements for entry into the National DNA Index System, as determined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(3) The term National DNA Index System or NDIS means the index established under section 12592 of title 34, United States Code.