Sexual assault forensic evidence: testing.
- Grants adult sexual assault survivors the right to delay DNA testing of evidence until they decide to report to police.
- Requires law enforcement to submit sexual assault evidence to crime labs within 20 days of collection.
- Mandates crime labs process DNA evidence and upload profiles to databases within 120 days of receipt.
- Requires evidence retention for 20 years or until a victim's 40th birthday if assaulted as a minor.
Senator Wahab's amendment to California's Sexual Assault Victims' DNA Bill of Rights grants adult sexual assault survivors who are undecided about reporting to law enforcement the option to delay testing of their forensic evidence. Under current law, law enforcement agencies must submit sexual assault evidence to crime labs within 20 days of booking unless a rapid DNA program is in place. The proposed change creates an exception to these testing requirements when survivors specifically request to postpone analysis until they decide to make a formal report.
The legislation maintains existing provisions that require law enforcement to notify victims about the status of DNA testing upon request, inform them before destroying evidence, and retain forensic evidence for at least 20 years in unsolved cases. It preserves victims' rights to access the Department of Justice's SAFE-T database for information about their forensic kit and to designate an advocate or support person to receive case updates on their behalf.
 Tom LackeyR Assemblymember | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 James RamosD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Matt HaneyD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Juan AlanisR Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Stephanie NguyenD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 0 | 3 | 40 | PASS |
- Grants adult sexual assault survivors the right to delay DNA testing of evidence until they decide to report to police.
- Requires law enforcement to submit sexual assault evidence to crime labs within 20 days of collection.
- Mandates crime labs process DNA evidence and upload profiles to databases within 120 days of receipt.
- Requires evidence retention for 20 years or until a victim's 40th birthday if assaulted as a minor.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Senator Wahab's amendment to California's Sexual Assault Victims' DNA Bill of Rights grants adult sexual assault survivors who are undecided about reporting to law enforcement the option to delay testing of their forensic evidence. Under current law, law enforcement agencies must submit sexual assault evidence to crime labs within 20 days of booking unless a rapid DNA program is in place. The proposed change creates an exception to these testing requirements when survivors specifically request to postpone analysis until they decide to make a formal report.
The legislation maintains existing provisions that require law enforcement to notify victims about the status of DNA testing upon request, inform them before destroying evidence, and retain forensic evidence for at least 20 years in unsolved cases. It preserves victims' rights to access the Department of Justice's SAFE-T database for information about their forensic kit and to designate an advocate or support person to receive case updates on their behalf.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 0 | 3 | 40 | PASS |
Tom LackeyR Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
James RamosD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Matt HaneyD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Juan AlanisR Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Stephanie NguyenD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |