SB 2221

Abstract

Amends the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act. When a consistent DNA profile has been identified from submitted sexual assault evidence, the Department of State Police shall notify the investigating law enforcement agency of the match, and the Department shall track and maintain a record of its notification of, and the follow up by, the investigating law enforcement agency. The record maintained by the Department shall also document any written request, from the Department to the investigating law enforcement agency, seeking the submission of an additional DNA standard for a comparison analysis or confirmatory forensic analysis, and whether the investigating law enforcement agency has complied with those requests. If, after 60 days, the investigating law enforcement agency fails to comply with any request for an additional DNA standard, then the Department shall send a second written request to both the investigating law enforcement agency and the county Sheriff of the county where the agency is located. The Department shall maintain a record of the percentage of cases in which an additional DNA standard is submitted by the investigating law enforcement agency for a comparison analysis or confirmatory forensic analysis. Beginning June 1, 2016, each law enforcement agency must conduct an annual inventory of all sexual assault cases in the custody of the law enforcement agency and provide written notice of its annual findings to the Department. The Department shall compile and report the findings of each inventory under the Act. Requires the Department of State Police to file annual and quarterly reports regarding sexual assault evidence submissions. Effective immediately.