Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. has adopted all six pillars of rape kit reform and has cleared its backlog.

Reform Status
Full Reform
Testing Status
Complete
Untested Kits
Now 0*
Then Unknown**
* According to a media report by WTOP there were 0 untested kits in Washington, D.C. in 2018.
** No reliable historical data available.

Pillar Count

6/6 Pillars
Washington, D.C. has adopted all six pillars of rape kit reform and has cleared its backlog.
Statewide Inventory

Yes, the city has a recurring inventory.

  • Is the inventory recurring? Yes
  • Are law enforcement agencies and/or labs required to participate in the inventory? Yes
  • Does the law require to document the date of when each kit was collected? No
  • Does the law require a reason to be given as to why the kit was not submitted to a crime lab for testing? No
  • Does the law require untested kits to be counted? Yes
Test Backlogged Kits

Yes, the city has eliminated its backlog.

Washington, D.C 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? 7 Days
  • According to the law, after receiving the kit, within what time frame is the lab required to test the kit? 90 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.

Washington, D.C. established a rape kit tracking system through non-legislative means.

Victim's Right To Know

Yes, the city 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? Yes
  • Are victims granted further preservation of the kit or its probative contents? Yes
  • 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? Yes
Fund Reform

Yes, the city has allocated ongoing funding.

See state reform timeline below.

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State Reform Timeline

2023
Inventory
Washington, D.C. announces 80-day average testing timeline

In 2023, D.C.’s Forensic Biology Unit received and tested 280 sexual assault kits. 224 of these kits were completed within the mandated 90-day window with an average turnaround of 80 days.

2019
Bill: Enacted
B23-0067 enacted in Washington, D.C.

In 2019, the city strengthened their victims’ rights statutes by passing B23-0067, a law requiring MPD to inform survivors of the status of their kits, including any reason for delays in processing, and of the eventual completion of testing. It also grants survivors the right to have their kits preserved for 65 years from the date of the crime.

Funding
$1 million awarded in Washington, D.C.

In 2019, The U.S. Justice Department Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded the Metropolitan Police Department $1 million to sustain its work.

Funding
Washington, D.C. provided yearly funding for kit processing

In 2019, Joyful Heart confirmed that the city of Washington, D.C., through the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG), provided yearly incremental funding to the processing of rape kits.

2018
Non-Legislative Reform
Washington, D.C. launched rape kit tracking system

In 2018, Washington, D.C. launched a rape kit tracking system.

Other
Washington, D.C. cleared backlog

In 2018, Washington, D.C. announced that it had completed testing all of its previously backlogged kits.

Other
Washington D.C.'s tracking system goes live

In 2018, Washington D.C.’s tracking system went live.

2017
Bill: Failed
B22-0222 failed in Washington, D.C.

In 2017, Washington, D.C. legislators introduced B22-0222, which would have strengthened a victim’s right to notice regarding information about their rape kit, including the right to receive notice 60 days in advance of planned kit destruction. This bill failed to pass.

2015
Accountability
Washington, D.C. did not respond to request

In 2015, The Accountability Project issued an open records request to bring the number of untested kits in Washington, D.C. to light. To date, we have not received a complete response to this request.

2014
Bill: Enacted
Act 20-348 enacted in Washington, D.C.

In 2014, Washington, D.C. enacted Act 20-348, requiring the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to submit a rape kit for testing within seven days of a survivor filing a report, and requiring the lab to test kits within 90 days of receipt. The law also granted survivors the right to be informed, upon request, of the results of forensic evidence and toxicology testing, as well as to be notified before MPD attempts to contact a suspect. In addition, the law mandated that the Washington, D.C. Office of Victim Services hire an independent expert consultant to assess MPD policies, practices, and training, and to report on the implementation of the law for two years.

We haven’t filed an Accountability FOIA in the district ⏤ yet.

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More from Washington, D.C.

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 […]
Rape Kit Reform in 2022
In the 2022 session, we rebuilt our website endthebacklog.org, wrote an academic book chapter and “The State of the Backlog” report, while successfully advocating for rape kit reform across the country. “The State of the Backlog” report provides a birds-eye view of rape kit reform field, focusing on what we have started, where we have […]