OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A new state law will require law enforcement agencies in Washington to request testing of all future sexual assault exam kits.
Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1068 Thursday, and supporters say the change will help catch criminals and bring justice to victims, the News Tribune of Tacoma reported (https://bit.ly/1d09pCU).
Earlier this year, the State Patrol estimated that there are between 5,000 and 6,000 untested rape kits in Washington. The Seattle Police Department announced in January it would begin testing more than 1,200 rape kits that had gone untested in the past 10 years.
The measure, which takes effect in late July, requires agencies to submit a request for testing within 30 days after receiving a rape kit, unless a victim objects to the evidence being used in an investigation.
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