OH SB316

Law enforcement agencies must review all records pertaining to specified homicide and sex offenses (violations of sections 2903.01-2903.03, 2903.04-2903.06 as felonies of first/second degree, 2907.02-2907.03, and attempted violations) and forward sexual assault examination kit contents to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation or another crime laboratory for DNA analysis if suspects are identified, with a one-year deadline from the amendment's effective date.

For investigations initiated after the amendment's effective date, law enforcement agencies must forward sexual assault examination kit contents to the Bureau or crime laboratory within thirty days if the agency determines one or more persons may have committed or participated in a specified offense.

Law enforcement agencies are considered in possession of sexual assault examination kits held by other government evidence-retention entities if the kits contain biological evidence related to their investigation and must retrieve and forward such kits for DNA analysis.

The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and crime laboratories must prioritize DNA analysis of specimens forwarded under these provisions, considering the period of time remaining under the statute of limitations (section 2901.13) along with other relevant factors.

Failure by law enforcement agencies to comply with specified time limits does not create any basis for appeal, postconviction relief, new trial, or other relief claims.