Bill > S2566

This bill, the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act, aims to provide enhanced rights and protections for individuals who have experienced sexual assault, including deceased victims. Key provisions include the right for survivors to receive medical forensic examinations without being charged or prevented from doing so, and the right to have sexual assault evidence collection kits, which contain crucial evidence like DNA, preserved without charge for the duration of the statute of limitations. Survivors also have the right to be informed of the results of these kits, provided it doesn't compromise an investigation, and to be notified in writing if the government intends to destroy the kit before the statute of limitations expires, with the option to request further preservation. The bill also mandates that survivors be informed of their rights and establishes grants to help states develop and distribute information about these rights and related policies to various entities, such as hospitals and law enforcement agencies, ensuring survivors are aware of their options, including the availability of advocates and victim compensation. Furthermore, it proposes the creation of a joint working group between the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate best practices for the care of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence, involving input from various stakeholders. Finally, it expresses Congress's sentiment that prosecutors should be encouraged to refrain from prosecuting survivors for minor offenses discovered during medical examinations, fostering an environment where survivors feel more comfortable reporting sexual violence.