Benacquisto's Rape Kits Legislation Steamrolls Through Senate Judiciary

Lizbeth Benacquisto's bill to standardize DNA testing procedures -- including provisions stating evidence processing in a sexual assault must begin within 30 days of a request --  rolled effortlessly through the Senate Criminal Justice Committee Monday.

The Republican Fort Myers senator admitted CS/SB 636 carries a $30 million cost component, but she emphasized that some 13,000 rape kits across the state have been untested for years. The kits are from victims who have waited for six years or even longer to see their evidence processed. Read about the national problem and Florida's part in it here.

The bill passed the committee unanimously, without an objection and with all stakeholders -- from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to not-for-profit organizations -- waiving in favor.

"Thank you," Benacquisto told the committee. "This will send a very strong message to victims that their evidence that will bring sexual assailants to justice matters."