At least 20 states are pursuing reforms to the inconsistent ways rape
kits are handled by law enforcement agencies after a USA TODAY NETWORK
investigation last year revealed tens of thousands of rape evidence kits
went untested nationwide.
Legislatures have been flooded with a
total of about 50 different bills in recent months — most
introduced since the beginning of this year as lawmakers returned to
statehouses for 2016 sessions — dealing with various aspects of how rape
kits are handled by the criminal justice system. The proposals range
including new funding for testing rape kits, audits of long-stored
evidence and reducing the discretion police departments or officers have
in deciding whether to submit rape evidence for testing by
standardizing requirements, including setting time limits for submission
to crime labs.
Meanwhile, governors, attorneys general and top
state law enforcement officials in several states also have taken
actions independent of legislatures to reduce procedural obstacles to
local police submitting sexual assault evidence for testing.
Read Full Article: Reforms
Related Article: Investigation Found
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