MA Senate Passes Bill to Keep Evidence for Rape & Sexual Assault Victims
Thursday, October 13, 2016
The bill wold also extend the length of time that sexual assault kits are required to be retained for evidentiary purposes.
“Sexual assault victims have suffered enough, I encourage Governor Baker to sign the bill immediately, so that their trauma will no longer be compounded by an outdated process. This was truly a team effort and I was happy to work with my colleagues to pass this legislation,” said Senator Gobi.
Senator Moore added, "Aside from establishing uniform procedures for the handling and storage of these kits, the bill also ensures that the potential evidence is readily available and that the integrity of the materials is preserved for the full length of the statutory period. I am proud of the efforts of both Chambers for bringing this important bill to the Governor’s desk during the current legislative session.”
The bill has bee put on the Governor's desk for approbation.
The New Bill
The bill would extend the required storage of sexual assault kits until the statue of limitations expires which, in Massachusetts, is currently 15 years. Hospitals will be required to inform rape or sexual assault survivors that the evidence will be retained until the statue of limitations expires.
Currently, sexual assault kits are required to be kept for six months after which discretion is given to the retaining agency to either keep or destroy the evidence if formal charges were not filed.
The bill will also require the Director of the State Police Crime Lab to make uniform standards for the retention and preservation of the evidence. The Director must also report on the feasibility of establishing a single location or multiple regional locations for the retention and preservation of all forensic evidence collected in the state.
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