§3772 Sexual assault survivors’ rights

Summary

Gives sexual assault survivors rights about medical exams and evidence kits. Survivors must be allowed to get a medical forensic exam and must not be charged. Evidence kits or the useful parts must be kept free for the length of the applicable statute of limitations or 20 years, whichever is shorter. Survivors can be told kit results (like DNA matches or toxicology) if that will not harm an active investigation. They must get written info about collection and storage rules and the kit’s location. If they ask in writing, they must get at least 60 days’ notice before a kit is destroyed and can ask to keep it longer. Survivors must be told these rights and other survivor protections in the law also apply. “Sexual assault” here means any nonconsensual sexual act under federal, tribal, or state law, including when the victim could not consent. Most of this is carried out using funds made available under section 1402(d)(3)(A)(i) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601(d)(3)(A)(i)). No additional funds are authorized.