ATLANTA – State Representative Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta), along with Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director Vernon Keenan, today announced that the backlog of untested sexual assault kits identified as a result of the “Compassionate Care for Victims of Sexual Assault Act,” or Senate Bill 304, have been tested.
“From the beginning, this has been about pursuing justice for victims of sexual assault,” said Rep. Holcomb. “The testing of these kits is both significant and important, and it is helping the state identify and prosecute perpetrators. So far, two serial rapists have been identified and indicted. I am very proud that this legislation has had overwhelming bipartisan support from the beginning—and that has continued with the budgetary allocations to fund the testing. I want to especially thank Speaker Ralston for his unyielding support of testing sexual assault kits in Georgia.”
Since SB 304 was signed into law in 2016, GBI has tested 3,005 sexual assault kits, and 321 kits resulted in DNA matches in the CODIS system. The testing was completed on November 13, 2018. The law also requires hospitals to notify law enforcement to collect kits within 96 hours and tested within 30 days of collection.
“I want to commend Director Keenan and his great team at GBI for the hard work that went into testing the kits,” added Rep. Holcomb. “In addition, I want to commend the tremendous work of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, local district attorneys and law enforcement officials who are working to prosecute cases. Lastly, I want to thank Senator Elena Parent, who helped with the bill’s passage in the Senate, and all of the advocates who have been dedicated to pursuing justice for survivors.”
For more information on SB 304, please click here.
Representative Scott Holcomb represents the citizens of District 81, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Higher Education, Juvenile Justice, Judiciary and Public Safety & Homeland Security committees.
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