MILWAUKEE, WI (WRN) – The state’s ‘Top Cop’ and a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill to prevent future backlogs of sexual assault kits in Wisconsin.
Attorney General Josh Kaul says the measure will also set new timelines and protocols for victims, medical professionals and law enforcement.
“Under current Wisconsin law, there’s a comprehensive, statutory framework for the collection and processing of sexual assault kits. This legislation will change that.”
Under the bill, if the victim wants to report the sexual assault to law enforcement, the health care professional must notify police within 24 hours of collecting the kit.
If the victim doesn’t want to report it, the kit must still be sent to the crime lab for storage within 72 hours. It would be stored there for up to 10 years.
“This legislation sends a clear message, which is that we can never have another backlog of untested sexual assault kits again in Wisconsin.”
Kaul says he’s confident the bill would pass the Legislature and become law.
