HARRISBURG – Today, the state Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 1212 introduced by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) to expedite the testing of rape kits.
For years, Pennsylvania has worked to address the backlog of untested rape kits and to ensure survivors of sexual assault are treated with the urgency and dignity they deserve.
Through Act 122 of 2024, Pennsylvania is now moving forward with a statewide sexual assault evidence tracking system so survivors can better understand where their kit is in the process.
But as the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency identified in its annual report, there are still gaps in current law that are creating delays. The definition of “awaiting testing” includes language that allows a local law enforcement agency to determine whether a kit should undergo DNA or other forensic analysis.
“While this inclusion in the law may have been well-intentioned, in practice it creates inconsistency from one jurisdiction to another,” said Pennycuick.
Senate Bill 1212 makes a narrow but important change.
It removes that discretionary language and helps establish a clear, statewide expectation that sexual assault evidence that has been collected and has not yet received DNA or other appropriate forensic analysis should be treated consistently.
“When a survivor goes through the difficult process of having evidence collected, that evidence should not sit untested because of inconsistent local practices,” Pennycuick added. “Senate Bill 1212 strengthens our commitment to survivors, improves investigative integrity, and continues Pennsylvania’s work to eliminate rape kit backlogs.”
CONTACT: Lidia Di Fiore (215) 541-2388