House Panel Approves Sexual Assault and DNA Analysis Reform Bills

Press Release

Today Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) voted for and the House Judiciary Committee approved two important criminal justice reform measures that will provide protections for survivors of sexual assault and allow Rapid DNA analysis machines to be used at local police stations.

The first measure, the Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016 (H.R. 5578), was co-sponsored by Congressman Issa and introduced by neighboring Congresswomen Mimi Walters (R-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) to ensure that sexual assault survivors will have the right to a sexual assault evidence collection kit, will be notified in writing before any kit is destroyed, will be able to request preservation of the kit, and are informed of the results from forensic examination.

The Survivors' Bill of Rights Act also creates a joint working group to recommend best practices regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence.

Following passage, Congressman Issa said, "Victims of sexual assault have already suffered far more than is imaginable, yet all too often, the criminal justice system makes their pain worse by making it impossible for victims to attain the justice they deserve. The bill we've approved today will codify into law a baseline set of procedures and protections that will help the victims of sexual assault have access to the justice which, for too long, has been out of their grasp."

Congressman Issa also voted for and the House Judiciary Committee has approved the Rapid DNA Act of 2015 (H.R. 320) which updates current law by permitting Rapid DNA analysis machines to be used at local police stations. Rapid DNA technology expedites DNA analysis and allows local law enforcement to accurately identify a suspect in as little as 90 minutes.

Under current practices, DNA samples are shipped to a state lab for analysis which results in weeks of delays to get information that can be obtained in less than two hours with Rapid DNA machines. This unnecessary postponement has created significant backlogs in investigations.

"It's a shame that our outdated system has kept law enforcement from taking advantage of the latest in crime-fighting technologies. This measure will help update our police forces to give them the latest tools to make our communities safer and justice swifter. It will help curb backlogs in crime labs to save time, save money and save lives."

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