BILL TO REQUIRE EXPEDITED TESTING OF RAPE KITS NOW ON GOVERNOR’S DESK

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2019 (Sacramento) - After passing both houses of the California Legislature unanimously, Senate Bill 22 is now awaiting action by Governor Gavin Newsom.  If signed into law, the measure will require law enforcement agencies and forensic labs to expedite the handling, analysis and testing of rape kit evidence.

Senator Brian Jones (R-Santee) sent a letter urging the Governor to sign the bill authored by Senator Connie Leyva (D-Chino). Jones writes, “Victims of sexual crimes should not be further victimized by prolonged - and sometimes disastrous - delays in having key evidence in their cases reviewed.”

SB 22 has the support of prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and victims' rights groups.However, it’s not certain whether Governor Newsom will sign it; last year, a nearly identical bill was vetoed by then-Governor Jerry Brown.