2020 Revised Code of Washington
Title 43 - State Government—Executive
Chapter 43.330 - Department of Commerce.
43.330.470 Washington sexual assault kit program.
(1) The Washington sexual assault kit program is created within the department for the purpose of accepting private funds to fund forensic analysis of sexual assault kits in the possession of law enforcement agencies but not submitted for analysis as of July 24, 2015, and to fund other related programs aimed at improving the public's response to sexual assault. The director may accept gifts, grants, donations, or moneys from any source for deposit in the Washington sexual assault kit account created under subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The Washington sexual assault kit account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Funds deposited in the Washington sexual assault kit account may be used for the Washington sexual assault kit program established under this section. The Washington sexual assault kit account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.
(3) Except when otherwise specified, public funds deposited in the Washington sexual assault kit account must be transferred and used exclusively for the following:
(a) Eighty-five percent of the funds for the Washington state patrol bureau of forensic laboratory services for the purpose of conducting forensic analysis of sexual assault kits in the possession of law enforcement agencies but not submitted for forensic analysis as of July 24, 2015; and
(b) Fifteen percent of the funds for the office of crime victims advocacy in the department for the purpose of funding grants for sexual assault nurse examiner services and training.
(4)(a) Except as otherwise provided in (b) of this subsection, private funds donated to and deposited in the Washington sexual assault kit account must be transferred and used exclusively for the following:
(i) Thirty percent for the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs for the purpose of funding the Washington sexual assault kit initiative project created in RCW 36.28A.430;
(ii) Thirty percent for the Washington state patrol bureau of forensic laboratory services for the purpose of conducting forensic analysis of sexual assault kits in the possession of law enforcement agencies but not submitted for forensic analysis as of July 24, 2015, unless the Washington state patrol bureau of forensic laboratory services deems that the funds are not necessary for this purpose, in which case the funds shall be divided equally for the purposes outlined in (a)(i), (iii), and (iv) of this subsection;
(iii) Thirty percent for the criminal justice training commission for the training in RCW 43.101.272, 43.101.274, and 43.101.276;
(iv) Ten percent for the office of crime victims advocacy in the department for the purpose of providing services to victims of sexual assault and training for professionals interacting with and providing services to victims of sexual assault.
(b) With the consent of the department, a grantor of funds may enter into an agreement with the department for a different allocation of funds specified in (a) of this subsection, provided that the funds are distributed for the purpose of the program created in this section. Within thirty days of entering into an agreement under this subsection (4)(b), the department shall notify the sexual assault forensic examination best practices task force and the appropriate committees of the legislature.
(5) This section expires June 30, 2022.
[ 2017 c 290 § 7; 2016 c 173 § 9.]
NOTES:
Finding—Intent—2016 c 173: See note following RCW 43.43.545.
