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Committee approves bill to track sexual‑assault kits, set testing timelines and provide victim tracking
Summary
The committee passed HB 15‑67 to require sexual‑assault kits be submitted and tested in a defined window, create inventory tracking and give survivors a way to monitor status; the state crime lab supported the change but said staffing and budget implications will be addressed in future budget cycles.
Representative Lundstrom presented House Bill 15‑67 to require submission and tracking of sexual‑assault kits, to require that kits submitted for testing be processed within 60 days and to provide victims with a mechanism to track the status of their kit. The bill aims to reduce backlog, improve lab turnaround and integrate DNA results into databases that can identify repeat perpetrators.
Colonel Channell, executive director of the State Crime Lab, said the lab supports the bill as an important reform; he acknowledged the lab currently lacks a statutory requirement to receive kits and said he would likely seek additional analyst positions in the next biannual budget, describing a phased implementation and workforce plan.
Sponsors said the legislation would help victims and improve criminal investigations by ensuring kits are collected, tracked and tested in a timely manner. Committee members asked about fiscal impacts and positions; the crime lab said a phased approach and internal reassignments would mitigate immediate needs but that additional budget requests would follow.
The committee voted to pass HB 15‑67 by voice vote.
