SB564: SB564 Sexual Assault; the maintenance of physical evidence collected from an alleged sexual assault; extend

26 LC 48 1736 Senate Bill 564 By: Senators Mangham of the 55th, Wicks of the 34th, Kemp of the 38th and Jones II of the 22nd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 17 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to investigating sexual assault, so as to extend the maintenance of physical evidence2 collected from an alleged sexual assault; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting3 laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Geor gia Annotated, relating to7 investigating sexual assault, is amended in Code Section 17-5-71, relating to preservation of8 evidence, by revising subsection (b) as follows:9 "(b) If the victim chooses not to report the alleged sexual assault to law enforcement at the10 time of evidence collection, the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction shall maintain11 any physical evidence collected as a result of such alleged sex ual assault that contains12 biological material, including, but not limited to, stains, fluids, or hair samples that relate13 to the identity of the perpetrator of the alleged sexual assault, for not less than 12 months14 two years from the date any such physical evidence is collected."15 S. B. 564 - 1 - 26 LC 48 1736 SECTION 2.16 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.17 S. B. 564 - 2 -