HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	99
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND APPROPRIATE AGENCIES TO CREATE AN EFFICIENT TRACKING METHOD FOR DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA) RAPE KITS.

     WHEREAS, in 2009, police departments in Hawaii processed fewer than half of the one-hundred thirty-nine rape kits containing DNA evidence submitted by the Sex Abuse Treatment Center; and

     WHEREAS, processing a single DNA sample can cost between $100 and $1,000, and expenses for a rape kit containing numerous samples may range between $1,000 and $8,500; and

     WHEREAS, the Honolulu Police Department testified that the decision to request an analysis of a rape kit is strictly that of the case investigator or deputy prosecutor; the Crime Laboratory is primarily concerned with the timely completion of the requested analyses; and, to this end, the Crime Laboratory has maintained a manageable number of sex assault analysis requests, which are assigned and scheduled for completion; and

     WHEREAS, the Attorney General administers the Statewide Sexual Assault Services program, which provides a coordinated and comprehensive response to victims of sexual assault; and

WHEREAS, the Attorney General also manages the Violence Against Women Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors grant, which has been funding the Sex Abuse Treatment Center's coordinated effort to improve sex assault protocols including the forensic examination of victims; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, the Senate concurring, that the Attorney General is requested to work with the county police departments to coordinate with other states and federal law enforcement agencies to create an efficient tracking method for DNA rape kits; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to assist in identifying additional funding sources for the Honolulu Police Department Crime Laboratory; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to work with social service agencies, the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, law enforcement agencies, and the prosecuting attorneys of each county to review and implement the initiatives contained in this concurrent resolution; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to work with the county police departments, the prosecuting attorneys of each county, and county forensics laboratories in reviewing their inter-agency policies, financing guidelines, and procedures regarding DNA rape kit processing; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2013 and 2014, including the following:

     (1)  The status of its effort in creating an efficient tracking method for DNA rape kit processing;

     (2)  Potential sources of additional funding for the Honolulu Police Department Crime Laboratory; and

     (3)  Other recommendations, including any proposed legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Attorney General, the Chiefs of Police of each county, and the prosecuting attorneys of each county.

Report Title: 

DNA; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Backlog; Rape Kit; Sexual Assault