Senate Committee Substitute

SCS/SB 569 - This act modifies current law regarding procedures for tracking evidentiary collection kits. Currently, the Attorney General shall establish an electronic tracking system for evidentiary collection kits and their components, including individual specimen containers. This act removes the requirement to track the individual components, while retaining the requirement to track the kits. Additionally, current law requires the Attorney General to permit sexual assault victims or their designees access to the system to monitor the current status of their kits. This act requires such victims to register with the system to track and obtain reports on the status and location of their kits through a secure web-based or similar system.

Appropriate medical providers, law enforcement agencies, laboratories, court personnel, persons or entities involved in the final disposition or destruction of the kits, and all other entities and persons having custody of the kits shall participate in the tracking system.

The Department of Public Safety, with the advice of the Attorney General and the assistance of the Department of Health and Senior Services, shall develop and retain within the state a central repository for unreported evidentiary collection kits that is temperature-controlled to preserve the integrity of the kits and diminish degradation. Unreported kits shall be retained for 5 years; except in the case of minor victims, the retention period shall be until 5 years after the victim reaches 18 years of age.

Finally, records entered into the electronic tracking system shall be confidential and not subject to disclosure under state law.

SARAH HASKINS


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