N.Y. lawmakers push for preservation of rape kits

Measures would create a central storage facility where rape kits kept for 20 years

February 14, 2018

ALBANY — A bipartisan group of New York lawmakers on Tuesday called for an overhaul of state laws and regulations governing the retention and handling of rape kits, including the creation of a central storage facility where the forensic evidence would be kept for at least 20 years.

Rape kits are used to collect evidence from victims of sexual assault in a grueling procedure that can take several hours. The forensic evidence is normally collected at a hospital by a specially trained medical professional and involves the taking of saliva, hair, urine and blood samples. Any injuries to a victim are photographed and samples of clothing also may be collected.

"It's common sense if you are going to submit yourself to this very intrusive examination then you expect that a hospital or law enforcement isn't going to destroy this rape kit," said Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, D-Queens. "Currently, hospitals only retain these rape kits for 30 days and that's a problem."

Federal laws mandate that testing of rape kits, including comparing evidence with criminal databases, requires authorization of the victims. But it can sometimes take victims months or years to be willing to pursue criminal charges against their attackers. By then, the forensic evidence often has been discarded.

State Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon, R-Long Island, said the measures would also prohibit medical providers from charging victims with any costs associated with conducting a rape-kit test. Victims would also receive HIV testing, access to emergency contraception and a 30-day notification prior to the destruction of their rape kit.

"This package of bills makes sure survivors rights are clearly spelled out, unreported kits are maintained according to federal best practices, all victims have access to specially trained sexual assault providers, and that hospitals are not inappropriately charging survivors," Hannon said.

Last year, nine states including California and Massachusetts adopted measures similar to those cued up by New York's Legislature. Nine more states are considering legislation that would expand regulations governing the handling of rape evidence, according to Rise, a national nonprofit organization that's pushing the legislation.

Hannon said that in conjunction with the legislative initiatives, local hospitals, including St. Peter's in Albany and Ellis in Schenectady, are undertaking a pilot program in which medical personnel trained to conduct rape examinations would use "telemedicine" to walk any nurse or physician through the process.

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