State police would direct $2.5 million to rape kit processing

The introduced bill would require state police to use $2.5 million for rape kit processing and backlog reduction. The money would come from the $18 million appropriated to state police for forensic and health sciences laboratories. The money may pay for equipment, processing, staff, competitive wages, and costs of speeding up processing. This section would take effect July 1, 2026. The money comes from funds set aside for the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

State police would be allowed to make grants to law enforcement agencies and testing labs to address the untested rape kit backlog. The grants may go to law enforcement agencies and testing labs. Testing labs may include the state police department's crime lab. The section containing this grant authority expires December 31, 2027.

State police would have to report to the General Assembly on the backlog and how funds were used. The report must cover Indiana's untested rape kit backlog and how the funds were directed to address it. The report must be electronic and follow the format required by state law. The report is due before October 1, 2027. The section expires December 31, 2027.