Legislators are considering placing additional responsibilities on local police for managing sexual assault kits.

HB 2318, sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall (D–Des Moines), updates the process for managing sexual assault kits in Washington. The bill requires police departments to store unreported sexual assault kits for 20 years from the time that the kit is collected.

The bill also allows courts to order an individual convicted of a sexual crime who will not be taken into custody to provide a biological sample directly in court. This is only applicable in cases where a local police department has established protocols to collect biological samples directly in court. Otherwise, individuals are required to report to a police department within a certain timeframe to provide a biological sample.

AWC supports the policy behind the bill. However, we have concerns about potential fiscal impacts resulting from the storage requirements. We are working with law enforcement and the prime sponsor to find a compromise that will ensure this important work is carried out properly while limiting the financial impact on law enforcement.

Dates to remember

HB 2318 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, February 5.