The Carla Walker Act establishes new federal grant programs to help law enforcement agencies, prosecutors' offices, forensic laboratories, and medical examiner or coroner offices use forensic genetic genealogy, a technique that combines advanced DNA analysis with genealogical database searches to identify suspects or unidentified human remains in cases where traditional DNA testing has failed. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to award competitive grants of $5 million annually from 2027 through 2031 for two purposes: conducting whole genome sequencing and genetic genealogy analysis on unsolved cases, and purchasing equipment and funding database searches for these techniques. To protect privacy and civil liberties, the law sets strict rules, including requiring agencies to first exhaust standard DNA database searches, prohibiting arrests based solely on genetic genealogy matches, mandating informed consent for collecting reference samples, and banning use of genetic data to determine health or psychological traits. Grant recipients must use accredited laboratories, maintain records for audits, and submit annual reports detailing case outcomes, testing methods, and identification success rates. Within three years of enactment, the Department of Justice must report to Congress on how the grants were used and offer recommendations on future funding needs and whether additional regulations are necessary.
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