ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 908

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 3, 2024

      The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 908.

As reported by the committee, this bill requires the Attorney General to establish a sexual assault forensic evidence (SAFE) kit, commonly referred to as a rape kit, tracking system.

     Under the bill, the Attorney General is to issue guidelines or a directive establishing the system.

      The bill defines a “sexual assault forensic evidence kit tracking system” as an Internet-based system that allows a person, including a victim; a State, county, or municipal law enforcement officer; an employee of a healthcare facility or laboratory, as deemed appropriate by the Attorney General; and any other person, as deemed appropriate by the Attorney General, to track a sexual assault forensic evidence kit through the chain of custody from the time of collection at a healthcare facility to the transfer to a local law enforcement agency, submission to a laboratory, and final disposition.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.