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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref to the Com on Judiciary 2, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-03-12

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill requires the State Crime Laboratory to inform sexual assault victims about the status of their rape kit testing and notify them when their kit cannot be tested, will not be tested, or is being destroyed. The lab must develop procedures for victims to check on their kit's status and receive these notifications.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill gives victims transparency and agency in the criminal justice process, helping them understand what happens to evidence in their cases.
• •They contend that notification rights—especially about kit destruction—allow victims to potentially challenge decisions or pursue other legal options, and that informed victims can better support their own recovery and justice goals.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may be concerned about the administrative burden and cost of developing notification systems and maintaining victim contact information across multiple labs.
• •They might also question whether notification of non-testing decisions could raise false hopes for victims or create legal liability for labs, and whether resources spent on notification could be better used for actual testing.