News Release
O’Neill, Moller to Present Mandatory Rape Kit Testing Bill in Public Safety Committee
ST. PAUL, MN – Representative Marion O’Neill, R-Maple Lake, and Representative Kelly Moller, D-Shoreview, will present HF 2983 in the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division Tuesday.
“This bill is incredibly important to victims of rape and those who believe in justice for victims,” said O’Neill. “No victim should ever be left wondering if their kit will be tested, and no perpetrator should get away with rape because law enforcement agencies have left an unrestricted kit untested. This is a strong step forward in support of victims and their advocates.”
HF 2983 includes mandatory testing of all unrestricted rape kits, which are kits that the victim gave permission to test, centralized storage and a 30 month retention period for all restricted rape kits, and an online database where victims can check the status of their kit and give consent to have their kit tested to start the process of filing a criminal case.
"We are continuing to see victims getting denied justice with destruction of rape kits," said Rep. Moller. "Victims who undergo a rape examination, often a grueling and difficult process, deserve to have their kits tested. I'm happy to work alongside Rep. O'Neill to get this bill passed."
HF 2983 is supported by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
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