TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Mar 25, 2021

A bill passed by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee yesterday would create an electronic tracking system for victims and law enforcement to monitor the status of rape kit processing, Tennessee Lookout reports. HB39/SB1035 is sponsored by Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, and Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, and is scheduled to be considered by the House Criminal Justice Committee next week. The legislation would direct law enforcement agencies, hospitals and labs to participate in the tracking system. The measure also would require law enforcement to pick up sexual assault evidence from a hospital within 48 hours of being notified, and extend the time period for preserving evidence from three to 10 years. Currently, 30 states and the District of Columbia have electronic tracking systems for law enforcement, with 24 states and D.C. also allowing victims to monitor the status.