Indy Standard

The Indiana House of Representatives has unanimously passed legislation co-authored by State Representative Lorissa Sweet, aimed at tackling the backlog of untested rape kits in the state. The bill, known as House Bill 1413, seeks to establish a grant fund for the Indiana State Police (ISP) to obtain additional resources necessary for processing these kits.

Currently, around 600 untested rape kits are awaiting processing due to insufficient resources and funding for technicians and equipment, according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the ISP. Representative Sweet highlighted the importance of addressing this issue, stating: "Due to limited resources, a backlog of untested rape kits has accumulated within crime labs, delaying justice for survivors in Indiana. It's crucial for a dedicated fund to be established to ensure this is addressed and that violent criminals are held accountable."

The proposed funds would be allocated towards purchasing equipment, processing kits, covering costs related to reducing processing times, and providing competitive wages for technicians. The House-approved budget includes $2.5 million earmarked for acquiring new rape testing equipment.

Additionally, the legislation mandates that ISP submit an annual report detailing any remaining untested or pending kits from the backlog. All rape kits held by law enforcement and testing labs as of July 1, 2025, must be processed by the end of next year.

House Bill 1413 will now proceed to the Senate for further deliberation. Further information about the bill can be found on iga.in.gov.