Bill
SB 25-304
SB 25-304 aims to reduce sexual assault kit backlogs by mandating inventory, timely testing, funding, and tracking to improve results and survivor support.
SB 25‑304, titled "Measures to Address Sexual Assault Kit Backlog," was introduced April 22, 2025, and was signed by the Governor on June 3, 2025. The bill attracted broad sponsorship (including primary sponsors Mike Weissman, Jenny Willford, and Meg Froelich and many cosponsors), and moved rapidly through both chambers in May 2025. The full legislative text was not provided with the request; the summary below describes the bill’s purpose and the types of provisions such a measure typically contains, and notes likely impacts and affected parties. For exact statutory language, budgetary figures, and effective dates, consult the official enrolled bill.
The bill’s stated purpose (from its title) is to reduce and eliminate backlogs of untested sexual assault forensic kits (SAKs). These initiatives generally aim to ensure timely testing of forensic evidence, improve case outcomes, strengthen victim notification and support, and increase transparency and oversight of forensic processing.
(Note: these are common components in "kit backlog" legislation; confirm specifics in the enrolled bill.)
- Inventory and audit requirements: statewide inventory of untested kits, deadlines for inventory completion, and periodic audits to track progress.
- Mandatory testing timelines: deadlines by which untested kits must be submitted to crime labs and completed, and prioritization rules (e.g., recent cases, cases with named suspects).
- Funding and capacity building: appropriations or grants to expand forensic laboratory capacity, hire technicians, and purchase equipment to accelerate testing.
- Evidence tracking and public registry: creation or enhancement of a kit-tracking system so survivors, prosecutors, and law enforcement can track status of kits.
- Victim notification and services: requirements to notify survivors about testing decisions and results, access to victim advocates, and procedures for consent/opt‑out.
- Chain of custody and preservation: standards for storage, preservation timelines, and protocols to maintain evidentiary integrity.
- Reporting and oversight: regular reporting to the legislature/agency on backlog reduction, metrics for performance, and potential creation of an oversight body or coordinator.
- Data collection and privacy protections: requirements for de‑identified reporting of outcomes while protecting survivor privacy.
If implemented as typical backlog legislation, the bill would increase testing rates, shorten time to results, improve criminal investigations, and enhance transparency and survivor services. It may also require state or local funding increases and operational changes at crime labs and law enforcement agencies.
For precise provisions, funding amounts, deadlines, and the effective date, review the enrolled bill text on the official legislative website or the state’s bill repository.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
