SB41 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Sexual assault, provide for victim notification, provide for certain rights to victims, Sexual Assault Task Force, created, Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights

Summary

SB 41 creates the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights, requires written rights notification to victims, and forms a task force to improve care and evidence handling in sexual assault cases.

What This Bill Does

It establishes specific rights for sexual assault survivors, including access to a medical forensic examination without obstruction or charge, and long-term preservation of the evidence kit and its contents. It requires the Attorney General to develop a survivor notification document with information on rights, advocacy, protective orders, kit policies, and how to obtain test results or compensation. It creates a Sexual Assault Task Force to develop and promote best practices for survivor care and evidence preservation, with diverse members from state agencies, lawmakers, and professional groups, and to report findings within two years. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Sexual assault survivors — gain new rights (e.g., access to medical exams, long-term preservation of evidence, and information about test results and kit policies) and will receive written notification of these rights.
• State and local agencies and professionals involved in sexual assault responses (law enforcement, prosecutors, forensic labs, medical providers, hospitals, victim services, and related agencies) — must uphold rights, preserve evidence, provide information, and participate in the new Task Force.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights, including the right to a medical forensic examination without hindrance or charge, and the right to have a sexual assault evidence kit preserved for at least 20 years (or until age 40 if the survivor was a minor).
• Requires written notification of these rights to victims and directs the Attorney General to create a survivor notification document with information on rights, advocacy, protective orders, kit policies, preservation requests, test results, and compensation options.
• Creates the Sexual Assault Task Force with specified members from the Attorney General, Governor, District Attorneys Association, Department of Forensic Sciences, Medical Association, Senate and House, Sheriffs Association, and Mental Health; it will develop and promote best practices for survivor care and evidence preservation and coordinate with relevant agencies.
• Provides a two-year deadline for the task force to submit findings and recommendations to the Attorney General, Legislature, and Governor; the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Sexual Assault Victims