Pennsylvania has become the 21st state in the nation to enact comprehensive rape kit reform with the signing of Senate Bill 920 by Governor Josh Shapiro. This critical legislation, four years in the making, establishes a statewide tracking system for rape kits, ensuring transparency and empowering survivors of sexual assault with new rights and resources.
The bill mandates the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State Police, to establish and maintain a web-based tracking system within one year of the law’s effective date. This system will provide survivors with anonymous access to the status of their rape kits, automated updates, and information in their preferred language. Each step in the evidence process will include clear explanations and estimated timeframes, all supported by a 24/7 help desk.
A Victory for Survivors’ Rights
The Joyful Heart Foundation, a national organization dedicated to eliminating the rape kit backlog, celebrated the achievement alongside the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR). “This victory shows the power of collaboration and perseverance to bring rights and resources to survivors of sexual assault,” the foundation stated, praising the coalition’s efforts and the commitment of state lawmakers.
The reform builds on the 2006 Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act, addressing gaps in transparency and accountability for evidence handling. The new system ensures that rape kits are tracked from collection to destruction, empowering survivors to take control of their healing process. Notably, the law also grants survivors the right to request further preservation of their kits for investigative or prosecutorial purposes.
Key Features of the Tracking System
The system is designed with survivor-centered principles, including:
- Anonymous tracking with secure access.
- Opt-in notifications for status updates.
- Multi-language support and user-friendly explanations of each procedural step.
- A safety feature allowing users to quickly exit the system.
- Data fields for comprehensive tracking across healthcare facilities, law enforcement, and laboratories.
This initiative also sets a high standard for data protection, ensuring that survivors’ anonymity is preserved and that their safety remains paramount. The system’s aggregate data will be used to improve evidence handling while excluding personally identifiable information.
Strengthening Accountability
The law imposes participation requirements on all entities handling rape kits, including healthcare facilities, local law enforcement, and state police. It further provides training for system users and mandates public resources for survivors. Annual reports will track the system’s performance and recommend improvements, with an evaluation of onboarding untested kits collected before the law’s enactment.
Supporting Survivors Beyond the System
The legislation also addresses barriers faced by survivors in seeking justice. It includes provisions for waivers that allow victims delayed by evidence processing to file compensation claims under the Crime Victims Act. By removing procedural hurdles, the law ensures that survivors are not penalized for systemic delays.
A National Model for Reform
The passage of SB920 reflects a growing movement across the United States to reform the handling of sexual assault evidence and ending the rape kit backlog. Pennsylvania’s comprehensive approach, which combines cutting-edge technology with survivor advocacy, positions the state as a leader in ensuring justice and healing for survivors of sexual violence.
The rape kit backlog refers to the accumulation of untested sexual assault evidence kits sitting in storage at hospitals, law enforcement agencies, or forensic labs across the country. Each kit contains vital evidence collected from survivors during invasive forensic exams, yet many remain unprocessed due to insufficient funding, lack of resources, or systemic inefficiencies. This backlog denies survivors timely justice, delays the identification of repeat offenders, and erodes trust in the criminal justice system. Addressing the backlog is a critical step toward ensuring accountability, supporting survivors, and preventing future assaults.
As Governor Shapiro remarked during the bill signing, “This law is about respect, accountability, and the unwavering commitment to stand with survivors. Today, we take a vital step toward ensuring that every survivor in Pennsylvania feels seen, heard, and supported.”
For organizations like the Joyful Heart Foundation and PCAR, this achievement is a testament to years of advocacy and a significant stride toward eliminating the barriers that survivors of sexual assault face nationwide.
