An Act enhancing protections for sexual violence survivors

This bill, HD 1542, enhances protections for sexual violence survivors by giving them control over their sexual assault evidence kits and restricting how law enforcement uses their DNA. It requires law enforcement to submit kits to a crime lab within 7 business days but allows survivors to choose whether their kit is tested or stored safely for the full statute of limitations period - without testing - even if they haven’t filed a police report. The bill also prohibits law enforcement from using a survivor’s DNA to prosecute them or comparing it to other DNA in databases, ensuring their DNA is only used for the specific incident being investigated. These changes directly affect survivors who provide evidence kits, prioritizing their autonomy and privacy in the criminal justice process.