Conference committee adopts House version of HB 25 81 to require statewide assault‑kit tracking system

The Arizona Legislature conference committee adopted the House engrossed version of HB 25 81, directing the Department of Public Safety to establish a statewide assault‑kit evidence tracking system to monitor the collection, storage, analysis and destruction of assault kits.

The bill aims to create uniform accountability and transparency across municipalities for the lifecycle of assault kits; proponents said the system is intended to guarantee consistent notification and service to victims and survivors. "It should not matter, folks, it should not matter where in Arizona a **** occurs. All victims and survivors deserve support," Chairman Bliss said during the discussion.

Senator Payne, a sponsor of the bill, described the technical choice the committee debated. Payne said the state currently runs a system called Track It that handles assault kits only and that a broader system originally known as Spyder—now marketed as Community Connect—was purchased by the city of Phoenix and can provide case‑level notifications. "Spyder does everything from the beginning to the end of the, occurrence," Payne said, summarizing the difference between the two platforms.

An amendment in the bill lets the Department of Public Safety use Community Connect (the Phoenix system) in place of Track It if the broader system is "up and running" by the bill's effective date (90 days after the governor's signature). If Community Connect is not operational by that date, the statute requires the department to use the existing Track It platform. Payne said the provision was included so agencies would not have to switch systems unnecessarily if the newer platform is available immediately.

The conference committee approved the House engrossed language and authorized staff to make technical and conforming changes as recommended by the rules attorney. The House side recorded the motion and an initial voice vote; the Senate side subsequently requested a division and a roll‑call style count. The committee recorded a final division vote of 5 in favor and 1 opposed; the motion was recorded as approved.

Committee members and staff noted prior coordination with the city of Phoenix dating back to December of 2023 and thanked Phoenix for providing a comparison chart of Community Connect to the statewide system. Senators and committee members emphasized the bill implements recommendations from the governor's assault‑kit task force and is intended to reduce backlog and improve victim notification and transparency.

The conference committee adjourned after the vote.