New Rape Kits Policy in Nevada County

July 25, 2011

The Assembly Bill 322 is a bill currently in the legislative process that is making an effort to hold counties accountable for the number of arrest rates per forcible rape that occurs. Nevada County, along with 8 other counties in California have been chosen to possibly pilot this new legislation for the 2012-2013 year in hopes of increasing the number of arrests in cases where rape is reported.

Beginning July 1, 2012, the bill will require law enforcement agencies in Nevada County that collect forensic evidence from a rape kit with an investigation into the crime of rape to submit the rape kit for testing within 30 business days of collection. Any rape kits collected before July 1, 2012 mostly likely are or will be backlogged and the bill will require the county to come up with a strategy to get those kits tested in a timely manner.