For Immediate Release: May 25, 2023
Contact: Olivia Hall, media@endthebacklog.org
NEW YORK – Today, in a significant step towards enhancing accountability and support for survivors of sexual assault, Colorado has enacted HB1199, a crucial bill that establishes a statewide rape kit tracking system. This legislation marks a pivotal moment in the state’s commitment to addressing the issue of sexual violence and ensuring justice for survivors.
The tracking system will improve the way rape kits are handled and processed in Colorado and grant access to information about their kits to survivors. The establishment of a comprehensive tracking system will also enable law enforcement agencies to monitor the progress of each kit, enhancing transparency and efficiency in the investigation process.
“I am thrilled with the signing of HB1199 into law. This is a truly significant achievement for the state of Colorado and a testament to our commitment to supporting survivors and their healing,” said Rep. Froelich, the primary sponsor of the bill. “This tracking system will ensure that survivors’ have access to information about their kits and will strengthen our ability to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Additionally, I would like to personally express gratitude to the Joyful Heart Foundation’s End the Backlog Initiative and local Colorado advocates, who have worked with me on this bill for several years. We are excited to finally meet Joyful Heart’s sixth pillar of rape kit reform with this act.”
“With this new law, survivors in Colorado now have the peace of mind that their kits are far less likely to be lost on a shelf,” says Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation. “Tracking the location and status of sexual assault evidence kits brings clarity and accountability to evidence kit processing and is an indispensable tool in preventing a backlog from happening again. Thank you Representative Froelich and Senator Winter for your steadfast commitment to survivors for ensuring this law came to fruition.”
With the signing of this bill, Colorado has fulfilled all six of Joyful Heart’s six pillars making the state one of 17 states to achieve full reform.
If you would like an interview or additional comment by Ilse Knecht, please feel free to contact me to set up an interview. Additionally, you can learn more about our legislative efforts in Colorado at http://www.endthebacklog.org/Colorado.