Connecticut

Connecticut has achieved all six pillars of rape kit reform. The state has cleared its backlog of untested kits.

Reform Status
Full Reform
Testing Status
Complete
Untested Kits
Now 0*
Then 1188**
* According to a report by the Governor’s Sexual Assault Kit Working Group there were 0 untested kits in Connecticut in 2018.
** According to a report by the Governor’s Sexual Assault Kit Working Group there were 1188 untested kits in Connecticut in 2015.

Pillar Count

6/6 Pillars
Connecticut has achieved all six pillars of rape kit reform. The state has cleared its backlog of untested kits.
Statewide Inventory

Yes, the state carried out a one-time inventory.

Connecticut carried out an inventory of untested kits through non-legislative means.

Test Backlogged Kits

Yes, the state has eliminated its backlog.

Connecticut eliminated its backlog through non-legislative means.

Test New Kits

Yes, all newly collected kits are being tested.

  • According to the law, how much time after a rape kit examination do hospitals have to notify law enforcement that a kit is ready to be picked up? Not specified
  • According to the law, after being notified, within what time frame is law enforcement required to pick up the kit? Not specified
  • According to the law, after picking the kit up, within what time frame is law enforcement required to submit the kit to the lab? 10 Days
  • According to the law, after receiving the kit, within what time frame is the lab required to test the kit? 60 Days
  • Does the law allow crime labs to outsource kits for testing if they are unable to meet the deadline? Not specified
Implement Tracking System

Yes, tracking system in use.

  • Does the law state that the tracking system should track initial collection at hospital, inventory and storage by law enforcement, and testing and storage by state labs? No
  • Does the law state that the tracking system should track if kit a has been destroyed? No
  • Does the law allow all agencies who participate in the tracking system to update the status of a kit? No
  • Does the law state that the tracking system should have a victim portal? Yes
  • Does the law require law enforcement, labs, and hospitals to participate in the tracking system? No
  • Does the law state that all previously untested kits should be entered into the system? No
Victim's Right To Know

Yes, the state has granted victims the right to notice and be informed on the status of their kit.

  • Do victims have the right to receive information of the location, testing date, and testing results of their kit? Yes
  • Do victims have the right to be informed when there is any change in the status of their case? No
  • Do victims have the right to receive notification before destruction of their kit? No
  • Are victims granted further preservation of the kit or its probative contents? No
  • Are victims provided with the contact information for the designated liaison(s) at the corresponding law enforcement agency at the time that a kit is collected? No
  • Do victims have the right to receive a physical document identifying their rights under law? No
Fund Reform

Yes, the state has allocated ongoing funding.

See state reform timeline below.

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State Reform Timeline

2025
Bill: Enacted
HB7287 enacted in Connecticut

In 2025, Connecticut legislators enacted HB7287, a bill allocating $1,348,010 in 2025-2026 and the same amount in 2026-2027 to “forensic sex evidence exams.”

News Article
Lab turnaround timeline for rape kits at 27 days

According to a news article, DNA cases involving sexual assault evidence are typically processed in about 27 days in Connecticut.

2023
Bill: Enacted
HB6941 enacted in Connecticut

In 2023, Connecticut legislators enacted HB6941, a bill allocating $1,348,010 in 2023-2024 and the same amount in 2024-2025 to “forensic sex evidence exams.”

2022
Funding
$1,200,000 awarded in Connecticut

In 2022, BJA awarded the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection $1,200,000 to develop and implement a sustainability plan.

2021
Bill: Enacted
HB6689 enacted in Connecticut

In 2021, Connecticut legislators enacted HB6689, a bill allocating $1,348,010 in 2021-2022 and the same amount in 2022-2023 to “forensic sex evidence exams.”

Funding
$1,971,259 awarded in Connecticut

In 2021, BJA awarded the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection $1,971,259 to sustain its work on rape kit reform.

2019
Bill: Enacted
HB7424 enacted in Connecticut

In 2019, Connecticut legislators enacted HB7424, a bill allocating $1,348,010 in 2019-2020 and the same amount in 2020-2021 to “forensic sex evidence exams.” As a result, Joyful Heart determined that Connecticut had adopted all six pillars of comprehensive rape kit reform.

Funding
$1,488,202 awarded in Connecticut

In 2019, BJA awarded the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection $1,488,202 to sustain its work on rape kit reform.

2018
Bill: Enacted
SB17 enacted in Connecticut

In 2018, Connecticut legislators enacted SB17, mandating the creation of an electronic, statewide tracking system for rape kits by October 1, 2018, and requiring the Commission to develop policies to ensure sexual assault survivors could access information regarding the testing status of their rape kits.

Inventory
Connecticut cleared backlog

In 2018, Connecticut announced it had completed testing all of its previously backlogged kits, and became the third state to end its backlog.

2017
Funding
$1,847,559 awarded in Connecticut

In 2017, BJA awarded DESPP an additional $1,847,559 to support the testing of “partially tested” kits that had never been fully analyzed.

2015
Non-Legislative Reform
1,188 untested kits found in Connecticut

In 2015, the Connecticut Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations (the Commission) completed a one-time survey of law enforcement agencies and found 1,188 untested kits across the state. In the same year, Governor Dannel Malloy established a multidisciplinary working group to coordinate the tracking and testing of these kits.

Bill: Enacted
HB6498 enacted in Connecticut

In 2015, Connecticut enacted HB6498, which requires rape kits to be sent to the state crime lab within 10 days of collection, and tested within 60 days.

Funding
$1,401,966 awarded in Connecticut

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded $1,401,966 to the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to test kits, investigate and prosecute cases, and re-engage survivors.

We haven’t filed an Accountability FOIA in this state ⏤ yet.

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More from Connecticut

Connecticut, Oregon and Utah Become Latest to Implement Full Rape Kit Reform
The Joyful Heart Foundation, a national organization working to end the backlog of untested kits nationwide, today announced that Connecticut, Oregon and Utah have become the latest states in the country to enact comprehensive rape kit reform. Each state has adopted the six pillars of reform recommended by Joyful Heart and leaders in this field.
Governor Malloy-Led Rape Kit Reforms Pass State Legislature
The Joyful Heart Foundation today congratulated Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy on the successful passage of SB 17, which mandates development of guidelines for tracking sexual assault evidence kits across the state and expands sexual assault survivors’ rights to know about the status of their kit. First Lady Cathy Malloy and the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence also championed the legislation.
2023 End The Backlog Legislative Update
As the state legislative sessions are ending or paused for a summer break, we look back at our achievements this year. 29 states and Puerto Rico introduced 50 bills related to our six pillars of comprehensive sexual assault kit reform. Out of these, 12 states passed 15 laws. This year, Mississippi enacted its first ever […]