House Judiciary Committee passes rape kit bill

BROOKINGS, S.D. (KJJQ) – The House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed a bill that would lengthen the time that law enforcement stores rape kits from anonymous victims.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Tim Reed of Brookings, says these are victims who have not yet decided to press charges.

Reed says the seven years matches the statute of limitations on most rape crimes.

He says the evidence would only be processed if the victim decides to press charges.

No one spoke in opposition to the measure and it now moves to the House Floor.