Bill modifies storage requirements allowing police to prioritize sexual assault kits

To accommodate police departments with limited available storage, an amended bill permits police to designate an outside entity to store found property.

HB 2318 updates the process for managing unreported sexual assault kits (SAKs) in Washington. The bill requires police departments to store unreported SAKs.

To address storage concerns, the legislation allows for a police department to designate an alternate department or government agency to store found property that is not part of a criminal investigation. This allows departments with capacity issues to prioritize storage space for evidence and potential evidence in criminal investigations.

Law enforcement is still required to accept found property. However, law enforcement is not required to store the found property with limited exceptions.

AWC supports the bill as amended.

HB 2318 now awaits a vote of the full Senate.