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History
- Print number 1455b
- Amend (t) and recommit to finance
- Referred to finance
- Print number 1455a
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Referred to finance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to the processing of evidence related to sexual offenses and the inclusion of such results in the state DNA identification index
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Diana Richardson
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the processing of evidence related to sexual offenses and the inclusion of such results in the state DNA identification index
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation directs the all local and state law enforcement agencies to conduct and report an inventory of all untested sexual offense collection kits in their custody.
Summary of specific provisions
All local and state law enforcement agencies charged with the maintenance, storage and preservation of sexual offense collection kits shall conduct and report an inventory to the Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services of all untested sexual offense collection kits. The Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services shall establish the form of and timeline for such inventory. The Commissioner shall receive the reports from such law enforcement agencies and report the results of such inventory to the legislature no later than six months from the effective date of this act.
Justification
The rape kit backlog problem has been recognized across the nation. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that there were hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits across the United States. In September 2015, Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced $41 million in grant awards to address the national rape kit backlog.
The timely handling of rape kits is important in identifying suspects and preventing future crimes. However, many rape kits are never tested and await DNA analysis in police evidence storage facilities or crime lab facilities. Detroit made a concerted effort to reduce the backlog of 11,000 kits in 2009. Within the first 153 rape kits tested, 20 serial rapists were discovered.
In extension of A.4525-A in 2015 that requires the timely processing of rape kits, this directs all local and state law enforcement agencies to conduct an inventory of untested rape kits in their custody and report the result of such inventory to the legislature. This state audit would help identify the exact number and age of untested rape kits and thus it would encourage the timely handling of rape kits.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect September 1, 2017.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.