PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota House lawmakers are supporting a bill that lengthens the time a rape kit is stored by law enforcement.
Current law requires police to preserve a kit for one year. House Bill 1074 increases that to seven years, or until a victim reaches the age of 25.
Republican Representative Tim Reed of Brookings is the prime sponsor. He says one year is not enough time.
“Because that anniversary can be really tough on the victim and getting to that point,” Reed says. “It’s after that point that they may want to come forward. Plus, if this is a case where the perpetrator has done it again and they hear about it, maybe they want to go forward with that and help the case—help somebody else that has come forward with that issue.”
Reed says he’s been working with a sexual assault nurse examiner on the legislation. Reed says he wants to make sure rape kits are stored properly and victims have a chance to come forward.
It heads to the house floor on a unanimous vote.
