Bill Summaries: H731 (2017-2018 Session)

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  • Summary date: Apr 11 2017 - View summary

    Enacts GS 15A-270.10, requiring each local law enforcement agency to conduct an inventory of Sexual Assault Evidence Collect Kits (SAECKs) in its custody or control and report its findings to the Department of Justice, State Crime Laboratory, no later than January 1, 2018. Directs the State Crime Laboratory to compile the information and report its findings to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety no later than April 1, 2018.

    Requires the inventory report from each local law enforcement agency to include: (1) the total number of SAECKs in its custody or control that have not previously undergone forensic testing and (2) the total number of SAECKs in its custody or control that (a) are anonymous; (b) represent a case that has been resolved in court by conviction, dismissal, or any other manner; (c) were not submitted for forensic testing because the suspect admitted to the sexual act in question; and (d) were not submitted for forensic testing because the allegations were determined to be unfounded as a result of further investigation. 

    Directs the Law Enforcement Support Services Office (LESS) of the Department of Public Safety to conduct an inventory of all SAECKs in its custody without regard to the age of the kits. Requires LESS to report its findings to the State Crime Laboratory by January 1, 2018. Directs the State Crime Laboratory to compile the information and report its findings to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety by April 1, 2018.

    Appropriates $699,484 in recurring funds for each year of the 2017-19 biennium from the General Fund to the State Crime Laboratory. Directs that in each year of the biennium, (1) $217,776 must be used to purchase equipment to be used for forensic testing of SAECKs and inventory tracking software and (2) $484,708 must be used to purchase DNA specific supplies needed for forensic testing of SAECKs. Effective July 1, 2017.