thehill.com – By Cristina Marcos -President Obama signed legislation into law on Friday that ensures sexual assault survivors in federal criminal cases have access to forensic evidence collection kits. The bill, known as the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act, guarantees the right to materials for gathering and preserving physical evidence, known as rape kits.
Under the new law, sexual assault survivors can request preservation of the kits throughout the maximum statute of limitations and must be notified 60 days in advance prior to destruction of the kit. Survivors are also now guaranteed that they don’t have to pay for the rape kits.
The legislation passed without opposition in the House and Senate last month.