MA H1896

"Early Evidence Kits" are defined as professional services enabling early DNA collection and storage when a traditional sexual assault forensic exam is not accessible, with their admissibility subject to court scrutiny

Hospitals must inform rape and sexual assault victims in writing that evidence preserved in a kit will be kept for at least 15 years

Government entities cannot destroy sexual assault evidence collection kits or forensic evidence until: conviction and sentence completion, all identified suspects are deceased, or the statute of limitations expires—with a minimum 15-year retention period

Law enforcement agencies receiving early evidence kits must label them to differentiate between those collected by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) and those collected by victims, and may submit kits to forensic labs for analysis within 30 days

Victims have the right to remain anonymous and not file a criminal complaint while being informed they may file at a future time