MS HB1298

Requires all medical facilities, law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, and other facilities that handle sexual assault evidence kits to submit annual reports to the Attorney General beginning 180 days after July 1, 2025.

Reports must include the total number of untested kits, categorization by whether assault was reported to law enforcement, kit status, dates kits were collected/picked up/submitted/tested, and reasons for non-submission or non-testing.

Requires the Attorney General to compile annual summary reports listing all agencies or facilities that failed to participate and make the summary publicly available on the Attorney General's website and submit to the Governor and Legislature.

Establishes existing timelines for kit handling: medical facilities must contact law enforcement within 4 hours, law enforcement must take possession within 24 hours, kits must reach the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory within 7 days, and testing must occur within 60 days of receipt.

Effective date: July 1, 2025.