MS HB485

Medical facilities must contact law enforcement to collect sexual assault evidence kits within 4 hours of examination completion and store kits in refrigerated conditions; law enforcement must take possession within 24 hours and deliver to Mississippi Forensics Laboratory within 7 calendar days.

Mississippi Forensics Laboratory must test kits within 60 days of receipt and enter any autosomal DNA profiles into CODIS and state/local databases within 90 days; laboratory may contract with other facilities to meet these timelines.

Sexual assault victims gain rights to be informed of kit location, DNA testing status, whether DNA profiles were obtained and entered into databases, and whether matches were found; law enforcement must respond to victim requests within 7 calendar days.

Law enforcement cannot destroy sexual assault evidence kits from unsolved cases for 20 years after collection, or until victim reaches age 40 if victim was under 18 at time of offense; victims must receive 20 days written notice before destruction and can request preservation.

Creates 12-member Sexual Assault Evidence Accountability Task Force to develop standardized policies for evidence collection kits; directs Mississippi Forensics Laboratory and Department of Public Safety to study and report by July 1, 2024 on resources needed for statewide rape kit tracking system.