FL S0636

Sexual offense evidence kits or other DNA evidence must be submitted to the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system within 30 days after law enforcement receives the evidence or after the alleged victim requests testing.

Medical providers and law enforcement agencies must inform alleged victims of sexual offenses about the purpose of evidence kit submission and the right to request testing.

Sexual offense evidence kits must be retained securely and in an environmentally safe manner until the prosecuting agency approves their destruction.

By January 1, 2017, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and statewide criminal analysis laboratories must adopt guidelines for DNA evidence collection and testing, with testing to be completed no later than 120 days after submission.

Violations of this section do not create a cause of action for damages or provide grounds to challenge evidence admission.