FL H0167

Each law enforcement agency in Florida must adopt a formal policy by January 1, 2017, for handling and submitting forensic medical evidence collected in sexual assault investigations for processing.

Law enforcement agencies must make every effort to ensure forensic evidence is processed and results provided within 12 months of the alleged sexual assault.

Forensic medical evidence collected before January 1, 2017, must be processed as promptly as possible with results provided no later than January 1, 2020.

A $1,000 surcharge is imposed on persons convicted of specified sexual offenses, with proceeds deposited into the Department of Law Enforcement Operating Trust Fund to process forensic medical evidence in sexual assault investigations.

The act takes effect July 1, 2016.