HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut lawmakers have passed legislation that requires the continued tracking of sexual assault evidence collection kits.
The bill cleared the House of Representatives Wednesday unanimously. It previously passed the Senate. Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is expected to sign the legislation, which puts in state law some practices his administration has taken in recent years.
The bill also compels health care facilities that collect sexual assault evidence to contact a counselor when a victim arrives.
Connecticut enacted legislation in 2015 that required rape kits be sent to the state crime lab within 10 days of collection and tested within 60 days, as part of an effort to reduce a backlog.
Republican Rep. J.P. Sredzinski of Monroe says this latest bill marks “a very good attempt” to further address the problem.
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