Measures to Address Sexual Assault Kit Backlog

The bill creates a grant program to fund an independent sexual assault kit coordinator (coordinator) position. The coordinator is tasked with providing annual reports to the general assembly regarding specific criteria relating to the state's capacity to complete sexual assault kit tests. The Colorado bureau of investigation administers the grant program.

The bill creates a notification requirement under the "Victim Rights Act" that requires a law enforcement agency to notify a victim at least once every 90 days if the law enforcement agency has not received the results of the forensic medical evidence DNA analysis from an accredited crime laboratory.

The bill requires an accredited crime laboratory to endeavor to analyze forensic medical evidence within 60 days after its receipt.

The bill expands existing reporting requirements concerning forensic medical evidence in sexual assault cases so that each member of the general assembly receives a report twice each year and the report includes information concerning the average amount of time between receipt and completed analysis of sexual assault evidence collection kits.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)