Following a unanimous decision by the Indiana House of Representatives, a bill targeting the issue of untested rape kits in the state is on its way to the Senate. The bill, known as House Bill 1413, was co-authored by State Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) in an endeavor to address the substantial backlog that has troubled Indiana, according to Indiana House Republicans.
Reports by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Indiana State Police highlight that there are 600 untested rape kits awaiting analysis, a condition attributed, to limited resources and funding constraints which affect the procurement of necessary technicians and equipment. "Due to limited resources, a backlog of untested rape kits has accumulated within crime labs, delaying justice for survivors in Indiana," Sweet said. "It's crucial for a dedicated fund to be established to ensure this is addressed and that violent criminals are held accountable," Sweet stated in an announcement provided by Indiana House Republicans.
The proposed legislation would create a grant fund specifically designed for the Indiana State Police to augment their capabilities in processing the existing backlog. The allocated funds are targeted for the purchasing of new equipment, processing of the kits, and financing the improvements in processing times while also ensuring competitive remuneration is offered to the technicians tasked with this critical work. The House has given a nod to a budget amendment that funnels $2.5 million towards the procurement of new rape testing equipment.
There is also a provision in the bill that would require the Indiana State Police to present an annual report, tracking the progress of the untested and pending kits from the backlog. Moreover, all rape kits currently in the hands of law enforcement or testing laboratories as of July 1, are expected to be processed before the conclusion of the following year.
