Bill > HR5571

This bill, titled the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act, aims to provide enhanced rights and protections for individuals who have experienced sexual assault. It establishes a new chapter in federal law (Title 18, United States Code) that grants survivors specific rights, including the right to receive a medical forensic examination without being charged or prevented from doing so. Crucially, it ensures survivors have the right to have their sexual assault evidence collection kits, which contain crucial forensic evidence, preserved for the duration of the statute of limitations, and to be informed of any results from these kits, provided it doesn't hinder an investigation. Survivors also gain the right to be notified in writing about policies regarding the collection and preservation of these kits and to request further preservation of the kit or its contents. The bill also mandates that survivors be informed of these rights and extends these protections to legal representatives of deceased victims. Additionally, it amends existing law to include sexual assault service providers and counseling in victim services and establishes a grant program to help states develop and distribute written information about these rights and related policies to various entities that interact with survivors, such as hospitals and law enforcement. Finally, it creates 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 and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence, consulting with various stakeholders in the process.