Rape kit legislation could be revived before next deadline

Advocates rally for legislation aimed at providing better care for rape victims

The House measure sought to ensure rape kits were available in Mississippi emergency rooms. It died in the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee last week.

Rape kit legislation could be revived before next deadline

The legislation requiring Mississippi emergency rooms to have a sufficient number of rape kits, and someone present to perform them could be revived.

Bill Proposes New Method of Funding Sexual Assault Kits to Better Serve Rural Montana

Legislators are considering a proposal that supporters say will help victims of sexual assault get local, timely care in rural areas by changing the source of funding for sexual assault examinations. The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, said in an initial committee hearing last week that Senate Bill 491 would create a centralized state fund that uses revenue from the marijuana tax...

McLean keeps fighting for rape kit bill after it dies in Senate committee

JACKSON – In January, law enforcement officers dropped a woman off at a hospital in North Mississippi after receiving a call that she had been raped and trafficked. After waiting in the emergency room for hours, she was discharged before receiving treatment or a rape kit. The next day, she tried again, this time going to another hospital 20 miles from the first. Despite eight more hours in the ER, staff told her no rape kits were available. Inst…