O’Dea: Bill Improves Investigations of Sex Assault
Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-125) says he hopes legislation passed Wednesday by the State House of Representatives will help improve state law enforcement’s response to sexual assault.
The bill, H.B. 6498, An Act Concerning the Timely Transfer and Processing of Sexual Assault Evidence, enacts a speedier time frame for the transfer of sexual assault evidence collection kits by establishing a mandated timeline for health care facilities, police departments and state agencies involved in sexual assault investigations. Under the legislation, police departments will have 10 days to gather the kit evidence from a health care facility and transfer it to the Division of Scientific Services or the FBI laboratory, which oversees sexual assault evidence collection kits. The Division is required to analyze the kit within 60 days of receipt.
O’Dea, a cosponsor of the proposal, said the House’s unanimous approval of the bill was a small victory for victims of sexual assault and those seeking justice.
“The crime of sexual assault is among the worst of all predatory and heinous crimes,” said Rep. O’Dea. “In these cases, it is essential that evidence is collected, preserved, and processed as quickly as possible to ensure the highest quality of value as evidence in a potential trial, and to increase the likelihood of accurate findings and a conviction.”
The kits will still be permitted as evidence in court, even if the authorities fail to meet the time requirements.
After gaining support from Connecticut’s Office of the Victim’s Advocate, Division of Criminal Justice, the Police Chiefs Association and the Permanent Commission of the Status of Women (PCSW), the measure, which also improves court proceedings, was approved unanimously.
The bill now heads to the State Senate for action there. This session of the Connecticut General Assembly will adjourn at midnight, Wednesday, June 3rd.
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