Senator André Jacque formally introduced comprehensive legislation yesterday, which aims to deliver justice to survivors of sexual assault and their families.
The legislation seamlessly integrates the Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights, kit processing and retention guidelines, a kit tracking system, and other provisions in a way that eliminates conflicting provisions.
In a news release, Jacque said “I think it’s essential that we take the step other states have done, which is requiring the kits actually be tested within a reasonable time frame.”
Using language from the Bill of Rights, this new bill prevents a future sexual assault test kit backlog by requiring the Department of Justice to test all new kits within 90 days, as other states have already set in statute.
