GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Two area lawmakers are working on legislation to make a one size fits all procedure when it comes to testing sexual assault kits.
The State DOJ enacted new policies put in place ensure that all kits be sent to the crime lab within 72 hours of being collected, but Representative David Steffen says legislation that he and Representative John Macco are putting together, is the next step.
“To ensure that a singular consistent pipeline exists for sexual assault rape kits in Wisconsin.”
Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith says Green Bay sends in quite a few kits and wants to make sure that those who are responsible are brought to justice.
“Here is Green Bay, we send about 75 kits per year to the DOJ for analysis.”
Steffen says the legislation should include one new key component.
“There will be a tracking mechanism that is associated so that survivors who are involved with this, who have since the time of the crime against them lost control, will once again have the ability to be back in control of the situation.”
Brown County Sheriff Chief Deputy Todd Delain says it is needed, but some of the details are still being worked on.
“Things that have to be worked out is where to store them and for how long and legislatures are looking at possibilities in storing them in specific locations.”
Exact details of the legislation are still being worked on, but the plan is to present the legislation next January.
