Proposed Legislation to Change CODIS Access

On March 10, 2026, Congressman Troy E. Nehls introduced the CODIS Access Modernization Act, which would amend title 34 of the United States Code, to allow private sector laboratories direct access to the National DNA Index System (NDIS). 

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is the FBI's program of support for criminal justice DNA databases. The NDIS is the index of DNA profiles contributed by federal, state, and local forensic laboratories. The DNA Identification Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. §14132) authorized the establishment of this National DNA Index. The DNA Act specifies the categories of data that may be maintained in NDIS (convicted offenders, arrestees, legal, detainees, forensic [casework], unidentified human remains, missing persons, and relatives of missing persons) as well as requirements for participating laboratories relating to quality assurance, privacy, and expungement. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the federal government, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, and Puerto Rico participate in NDIS. 

Currently, private forensic DNA laboratories do not have access to NDIS. The proposed legislation would change that, citing the need to reduce delays in DNA profile entry and accelerate investigative leads. 

In January 2026, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) issued a statement on this topic. The ASCLD Statement on Enhancing CODIS Effectiveness through Collaborative Review of Private Laboratory Access recommended the establishment of a dedicated working group to explore approaches and implications of any proposed changes. 

While timely submission of CODIS-eligible profiles is a priority for all, the FBI Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) outline the requirements for data entry into NDIS. The ASCLD statement highlights the need to balance the concerns for timeliness with broader issues related to statutory authority, ownership, and stewardship of DNA data. They propose a collaborative approach involving all key stakeholders, including the FBI, the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM), and public and private forensic laboratories prior to changes being made.