Neuman bill would speed DNA testing
State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane Township, introduced legislation that would speed testing of DNA evidence stemming from sexual assaults.
“Foremost, House Bill 272 would reduce the backlog of untested rape kits, estimated at more than 400,000 nationwide,” Neuman said. “The backlogs pose a horrible injustice to victims.”
Neuman said the legislation also would implement precise policies and procedures dealing with collection and testing of sexual assault evidence.
“The true extent of the backlog in Pennsylvania is unknown because of a lack of comprehensive reporting requirements,” Neuman said.
“My bill would establish time frames for the submission and analysis of sexual assault evidence and make the commonwealth eligible for more federal funding to reduce backlogs.”
The legislation, the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry in PA or SAFER PA Act, has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where Neuman serves.
Last year, similar legislation received unanimous votes in the committee and full House, but was not voted on in the state Senate before the session’s end.