MS HB863

Expands rights of sexual assault victims by requiring law enforcement to inform victims about the location and DNA testing status of their evidence kits upon request, with responses required within seven calendar days.

Grants victims the right to be informed whether a DNA profile of the assailant was obtained, whether it was entered into the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory's DNA identification system or CODIS, and whether there is a DNA match (unless disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation).

Requires victims receive written notification of policies governing collection and preservation of sexual assault evidence kits and written notice of their rights under this section.

Extends the preservation period for sexual assault evidence kits in unsolved cases from twenty years to sixty days' notice before destruction, and mandates preservation until twenty years after collection or until a victim who was under eighteen reaches age forty.

Allows victims to designate a sexual assault victim advocate or support person to receive all notifications on their behalf, and permits victims to seek a writ of mandamus as the sole remedy for law enforcement's failure to comply.