Bill > HB863

This bill amends Mississippi's existing Crime Victims' Bill of Rights to expand protections and information rights for sexual assault victims. The legislation adds two new rights for victims: the right to be informed in writing about policies governing the collection and preservation of sexual assault evidence kits, and the right to be informed about their rights under this section. The bill also modifies the notification period for potential destruction of sexual assault evidence kits from 20 to 60 days, allowing victims to request preservation of evidence. The law maintains existing provisions that require law enforcement to inform victims about the status of their sexual assault evidence kit, including DNA testing, CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) profile matches, and evidence preservation timelines. Victims can designate an advocate to receive this information, and while failures to comply with these provisions cannot be used to overturn a conviction, victims can file a writ of mandamus to compel compliance. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to provide sexual assault victims with more transparency and control over the investigation and evidence related to their case.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0863.xml