Sexual assault: investigations.

Existing law establishes the "Sexual Assault Victims' DNA Bill of Rights" which prescribes requirements for law enforcement agencies and crime labs regarding the processing of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases and requires certain notifications to be made to the victim. This bill would require all law enforcement agencies, medical facilities, crime laboratories, and any other facilities that receive, maintain, store, or preserve sexual assault evidence kits to conduct an audit of all untested sexual assault evidence kits in their possession and report certain data to the Department of Justice by no later than July 1, 2019. The bill would also require the Department of Justice to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature regarding the results of these audits by no later than July 1, 2020. By requiring local government entities to complete an audit and submit a report, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.