In a 399-0 vote, a bipartisan bill to ensure sexual assault survivors in federal criminal cases have rape kits administered in all cases passed on Tuesday. According to The Hill, the bill also protects survivors from having to pay for any evidence collection and survivors would be allowed to request preservation of any evidence for the maximum statute of limitations.
In a push for the federal bill, Reps. Mimi Walters (R-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said they hope state governments will follow suit.
“The uneven patchwork of laws across the country and the lack of substantive rights for sexual assault survivors prevent them from having full access to the justice system,” Walters said from the House floor. “Survivors of sexual assault have faced unspeakable trauma, and they should not face unnecessary barriers to justice.”
An almost identical bill passed in May in the Senate, so small technical details will be resolved before the bill lands on President Obama’s desk. In an age of partisan politics and the throws of an ugly election season, it's hopeful to know that Congress can still pass commonsense bills.
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