Burns Bill Strengthening Rape Kit Testing Timelines Unanimously Advances Through Senate Committees

OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislation by Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, to ensure the timely testing of sexual assault evidence kits has unanimously advanced through both the Senate Public Safety and Senate Appropriations Committees and is now eligible for consideration on the Senate floor.

Senate Bill 1584 establishes clear timelines for the submission and testing of newly collected sexual assault forensic evidence kits, commonly referred to as rape kits. The measure is intended to accelerate investigations, strengthen accountability within the evidence process, and help deliver justice more quickly for survivors.

“Oklahoma has made important progress addressing untested evidence kits, but we still need a clear system that ensures new kits are processed quickly and consistently,” Burns said. “This legislation puts firm timelines in place so survivors aren’t left waiting months or years for answers, while also helping law enforcement identify dangerous offenders sooner.”

Under current Oklahoma law, law enforcement agencies must submit sexual assault evidence kits to the state crime lab within 20 days. However, existing statutes do not establish clear deadlines for hospitals to notify law enforcement when a kit is collected, for law enforcement to retrieve the evidence from medical facilities, or for the crime lab to complete testing.

Senate Bill 1584 addresses those gaps by creating a mandatory timeline requiring newly collected rape kits to be tested within 30 days. The bill also shortens the deadline for law enforcement agencies to submit kits to the crime lab from 20 days to 10 days, helping ensure evidence moves through the system more efficiently.

Advocates say faster testing timelines can play a critical role in preventing future crimes. DNA evidence collected through forensic exams can identify unknown assailants, reveal serial offenders, and help exonerate the wrongfully accused.

The Joyful Heart Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on ending sexual violence and supporting survivors, submitted a letter to lawmakers supporting the measure. The organization noted that 22 states and Washington, D.C. have already enacted laws requiring expedited rape kit testing and encouraged Oklahoma to adopt similar protections.

“Testing rape kits quickly is crucial in preventing crime,” the organization wrote in its letter of support. “By mandating testing timelines and shortening the timeline law enforcement has to submit rape kits to the crime lab, SB 1584 ensures such tragedies are avoided in Oklahoma.”

Burns said the legislation represents a practical step toward improving the state’s response to sexual assault cases while ensuring evidence is processed in a timely manner.

“When someone comes forward after a traumatic assault, they deserve to know the evidence collected will be handled promptly and professionally,” Burns said. “This bill strengthens our system so investigators can do their jobs effectively and survivors can have greater confidence in the process.”

To read Joyful Heart Foundation's full letter of support, click here.

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