Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Protecting Victims’ Rights
Today
the Senate took final action to enact H.4364 An Act relative to preservation of evidence for
victims of rape and sexual assault, which, if signed into law, would ensure
that evidence collected in cases of rape and sexual assault is retained for the
entire period in which such crimes can be prosecuted. Under present law,
victims must renew their requests to preserve such evidence every 6 months. The
bill was originally filed by Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier
(D-Pittsfield). When it came to the Senate I worked with Senators Michael Moore
(D-Millbury) and Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) and Senate President Stan Rosenberg
(D-Amherst) to strengthen it.
Working together, we added two important
amendments to the final bill. One requires that all currently held evidence be
retained, and the second directs that a study be conducted to develop a plan to
house all of the evidence in a central state facility.
You can read the text of the bill here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H4364
