MS HB672

Requires medical facilities to immediately contact law enforcement to collect sexual assault evidence kits, with law enforcement required to pick up kits within 24 hours and deliver them to the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory within 7 days

Mandates the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory to test sexual assault evidence kits within 45 days of receipt and enter DNA profiles into CODIS and state/local databases within 60 days

Creates the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Accountability Task Force (7 members) to establish standards for maintenance, preservation, transportation, and chain of custody of sexual assault evidence kits by January 1, 2023

Extends biological evidence preservation requirements from the duration of custody/unsolved status to a minimum of 50 years, and clarifies that the Victims Compensation Fund pays all costs for forensic medical examinations and kit preparation

Exempts nurse practitioners with a master's degree or higher in Advanced Forensic Nursing from the collaborative/consultative physician relationship requirement when performing forensic examinations