Bill · H.R. 3591· House(119-HR-3591)
Carla Walker Act
- Introduced
- 5/23/2025
- Last activity
- 5/23/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Wesley Hunt
- Cosponsors
- - 9 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Carla Walker Act establishes a grant program to improve state and local forensic activities through advanced DNA technology. It authorizes competitive grants for entities like law enforcement, prosecutor's offices, and medical examiners to use whole genome sequencing and forensic genetic genealogy. These funds are intended to generate investigative leads for criminal investigations or to identify unidentified human remains when traditional methods fail. The bill also provides for grants to purchase specific forensic equipment needed for these processes. The legislation includes strict requirements for following Department of Justice policies and maintaining detailed records for auditing.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this put more money into scientific research?+4
The bill provides significant funding for the advancement of forensic DNA technologies.
Does this change how police departments operate?+3
The bill enhances investigative capabilities for law enforcement through advanced DNA technology.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill expands federal grant oversight and requirements for state and local forensic laboratories.
The opposite
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-3
The focus on genetic genealogy technology presents potential implications for genetic privacy.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?-2
The use of genealogical databases for forensic searches may pose new risks to genetic privacy.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Criminal Investigations: Grants can be used for whole genome sequencing technology to assess at least 100,000 genetic markers to generate investigative leads (Section 3062(b)).
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Identification of Human Remains: Funds can be used to identify unidentified human remains that investigators believe are victims of homicide, especially when the Combined DNA Index System has failed to provide an identity (Section 3062(d)(1)(B)).
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Improved Forensic Capabilities: The act allows for the outsourcing of DNA analyses to accredited forensic laboratories, whether they are publicly funded or nongovernmental (Section 3062(d)(1)(C)).
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Technological Advancement: Grants are authorized to help eligible entities purchase equipment, supplies, and reagents necessary to deploy forensic genetic genealogy techniques (Section s 3063(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Fund Use: Under Section 3062(e)(2)(A), funds are strictly prohibited from being used for staffing, training, travel, or equipment, limiting how the money can be applied to general forensic needs.
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Administrative Cost Limits: The Attorney General is restricted to using no more than 10 percent of the appropriated amounts for administrative costs (Section 3062(e)(2)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4Improves Data Privacy-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+2Improves Due Process+1Improves Privacy Rights-3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance+2
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 11/20/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CarterRepublican · Texas
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Earl CarterRepublican · Georgia
Julie FedorchakRepublican · North Dakota
Mark HarrisRepublican · North Carolina
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Guy ReschenthalerRepublican · Pennsylvania
Michael SimpsonRepublican · Idaho
Eric SwalwellDemocrat · California
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey
Ann WagnerRepublican · Missouri