PRINTER'S NO. 50
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
36
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY SANKEY, SIMMONS, SIMS, STRUZZI AND RYAN,
JANUARY 28, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JANUARY 28, 2019
AN ACT
Amending the act of November 29, 2006 (P.L.1471, No.165),
entitled "An act providing for a sexual assault evidence
collection program and for powers and duties of the
Department of Health and the Pennsylvania State Police;
establishing civil immunity; and providing for rights of
sexual assault victims," providing for Sexual Assault Kit
Processing Fund.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of November 29, 2006 (P.L.1471, No.165),
known as the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act,
is amended by adding a section to read:
Section 7. Sexual Assault Kit Processing Fund.
(a) Establishment.--The Sexual Assault Kit Processing Fund
is established as a restricted account within the State
Treasury.
(b) Administration of fund.--
(1) Contributions received for the fund shall be
distributed by the Pennsylvania State Police as grants to
laboratories designated by the department to assist local law
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
enforcement agencies with rape kit testing costs. Money in
the fund shall be distributed to the laboratories based on
backlog data.
(2) The Pennsylvania State Police may accept voluntary
contributions for the fund and may consult with any
governmental or nongovernmental organization as necessary to
implement this section, but may not enter into an agreement
or contract with an organization for the staffing functions
of the program.
(c) Deposit.--All money received from the voluntary
contributions under section 315.14 of the act of March 4, 1971
(P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, shall be
deposited into the fund.
(d) Voluntary contributions.--In addition to the voluntary
contributions under section 315.14 of the Tax Reform Code of
1971, the Pennsylvania State Police may accept other voluntary
contributions and electronic donations to the fund. All other
voluntary contributions and electronic donations shall be
deposited into the fund. A Commonwealth agency, county and
municipal government within this Commonwealth may include a
brief description of the fund and the electronic and mailing
address to make donations to the fund in its publications,
mailings and communications.
(e) Use of money.--Money in the fund is hereby appropriated
on a continuing basis to the Pennsylvania State Police to carry
out the purposes of this section.
(f) Reporting.--Beginning on or before July 30, 2019, and
every year thereafter for the length of the program, the
Pennsylvania State Police shall submit a report to the
chairperson and minority chairperson of the Finance Committee of
20190HB0036PN0050 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Finance Committee of the House of Representatives detailing the
total amount of money distributed from the fund in the prior
year to each designated laboratory. The report shall also
provide any participation by a governmental or nongovernmental
organization utilized for the fund.
(g) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "fund"
shall mean the Sexual Assault Kit Processing Fund established
under subsection (a).
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20190HB0036PN0050 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10