This bill proposes to establish a Sexual Assault Kit Evidence Tracking System (System) under the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to monitor the status and location of sexual assault kits (SAKs) collected from various sources, including health care facilities and death investigations. The bill mandates that medical providers, law enforcement agencies, and crime laboratories submit relevant information to the System, which will track the entire lifecycle of each SAK, from initial collection to destruction. Additionally, it allows victims to anonymously track their SAKs and receive notifications regarding their status, including advance notice of destruction.

The bill also includes provisions to maintain the confidentiality of SAK records, allowing access only to the victim and authorized personnel involved in updating the SAK's status. Furthermore, it exempts law enforcement agencies in cities with populations over one million that already have a compliant tracking system from participating in the DPS System, while still holding them accountable to existing reporting and testing requirements. The definition of a "public accredited crime laboratory" is aligned with existing statutes, ensuring consistency in terminology.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-1735
House Engrossed Version: 41-1735
Senate Engrossed Version: 41-1735