RCW 5.70.005
Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Amplified DNA" means DNA generated during scientific analysis using a polymerase chain reaction.
(2) "Association" means the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs.
(3) "DNA work product" means (a) product generated during the process of scientific analysis of such material, except amplified DNA, material that had been subjected to DNA extraction, screening by-products, and DNA extracts from reference samples; or (b) any material contained on a microscope slide, swab, in a sample tube, cutting, DNA extract, or some other similar retention method used to isolate potential biological evidence that has been collected by law enforcement or a forensic nurse as part of an investigation and prepared for scientific analysis, whether or not it is submitted for scientific analysis and derived from:
(i) The contents of a sexual assault examination kit;
(ii) Blood;
(iii) Semen;
(iv) Hair;
(v) Saliva;
(vi) Skin tissue;
(vii) Fingerprints;
(viii) Bones;
(ix) Teeth; or
(x) Any other identifiable human biological material or physical evidence.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, "DNA work product" does not include a reference sample collected unless it has been shown through DNA comparison to associate the source of the sample with the criminal case for which it was collected.
(4) "Governmental entity" means any general law enforcement agency or any person or organization officially acting on behalf of the state or any political subdivision of the state involved in the collection, examination, tracking, packaging, storing, or disposition of biological material collected in connection with a criminal investigation relating to a felony offense.
(5) "Investigational status" means:
(a) The agency case or incident number;
(b) The date the request for forensic examination of the sexual assault kit was submitted to the Washington state patrol crime laboratory;
(c) The date the forensic examination was complete and reported to the law enforcement agency;
(d) Whether the case is open or closed;
(e) Whether the case was reopened as a result of the hit in the combined DNA index system;
(f) For open cases, whether the case remains:
(i) An active investigation;
(ii) Open pending forensic examination results; or
(iii) Open and inactive, in which case the agency must include a brief description as to why the case is inactive; and
(g) For closed cases, whether the case was closed as a result of:
(i) A referral for prosecution where charges were filed or the prosecutor is reviewing the case;
(ii) A referral for prosecution where the prosecutor declined to file charges based on the case being legally insufficient;
(iii) A referral for prosecution where the prosecutor declined to file charges because the case failed to meet prosecutorial charging standards;
(iv) After reviewing the results of the forensic examination, there was no evidence that a crime occurred, or there was lack of probable cause that a crime occurred;
(v) The inability to locate the victim or lack of victim participation; or
(vi) Any other reason, in which case the agency must include a brief description as to why the case closed.
(6) "Reference sample" means a known sample collected from an individual by a governmental entity for the purpose of comparison to DNA profiles developed in a criminal case.
(7) "Screening by-product" means a product or waste generated during examination of DNA evidence, or the screening process of such evidence, that is not intended for long-term storage.
(8) "Sexual assault kit" includes all evidence collected during a sexual assault medical forensic examination.
(9) "Unreported sexual assault kit" means a sexual assault kit where a law enforcement agency has not received a related report or complaint alleging a sexual assault or other crime has occurred.
[
2021 c 118 s 1
;
2020 c 26 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2021 c 118:
See note following RCW 5.70.060
.
Intent
—
2020 c 26:
See note following RCW 63.21.090
.
RCW 5.70.010
Preservation of DNA work product
—
Failure to preserve DNA work product.
(1) In any felony case initially charged as a violent or sex offense, as defined in RCW 9.94A.030, a governmental entity shall preserve any DNA work product that has been secured in connection with the criminal case, including related investigatory reports and records, according to the following guidelines:
(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, where a defendant has been charged and convicted in connection with the case, the DNA work product and investigatory reports and records must be maintained throughout the length of the sentence, including any period of community custody extending through final discharge;
(b) Where a defendant has been convicted and sentenced under RCW 9.94A.507
in connection with the case, the DNA work product and investigatory reports and records must be maintained for ninety-nine years or until the death of the defendant, whichever is sooner; and
(c) Where no conviction has been made in connection with the case, the DNA work product and investigatory reports and records must be maintained for ninety-nine years or throughout the period of the statute of limitations pursuant to RCW 9A.04.080, whichever is sooner.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, in any felony case regardless of whether the identity of the offender is known and law enforcement has probable cause sufficient to believe the elements of a violent or sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030
have been committed, a governmental entity shall preserve any DNA work product secured in connection with the criminal case and investigatory reports and records for ninety-nine years or throughout the period of the statute of limitations pursuant to RCW 9A.04.080, whichever is sooner.
(3) The failure of a law enforcement agency to preserve DNA work product does not constitute grounds in any criminal proceeding for challenging the admissibility of other DNA work product that was preserved in a case, and any evidence offered may not be excluded by a court on those grounds. The court may not set aside the conviction or sentence or order the reversal of a conviction under this section on the grounds that the DNA work product is no longer available. Unless the court finds that DNA work product was destroyed with malicious intent to violate this section, a person accused of committing a crime against a person has no cause of action against a law enforcement agency for failure to comply with the requirements of this section. If the court finds that DNA work product was destroyed with malicious intent to violate this section, the court may impose appropriate sanctions. Nothing in this section may be construed to create a private right of action on the part of any individual or entity against any law enforcement agency or any contractor of a law enforcement agency.
[
2020 c 26 s 1
;
2015 c 221 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
2020 c 26:
See note following RCW 63.21.090
.
RCW 5.70.020
Destruction of DNA reference samples
—
Expungement of DNA reference sample data.
(1) Nothing in this chapter precludes the trial court from ordering the destruction of DNA reference samples contributed by a defendant who was charged and acquitted or whose conviction was overturned in connection with a violent or sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030
.
(2)(a) A person may submit an application to the Washington state patrol to have his or her DNA reference sample data expunged from the Washington state patrol's DNA identification system in cases where: (i) The person's DNA reference sample was collected and entered into the system and (ii) the charges against the person were dismissed with prejudice or the person was found not guilty.
(b) The Washington state patrol must expunge the person's DNA reference sample data if he or she meets the criteria established in law or by rule.
[
2015 c 221 s 2
.]
RCW 5.70.030
Unreported sexual assault kits
—
Transportation to local law enforcement agency
—
Storage and preservation.
(1)(a) Any unreported sexual assault kit collected on or after June 30, 2020, must be transported from the collecting entity to the applicable local law enforcement agency.
(b) By January 1, 2021, unreported sexual assault kits collected prior to June 30, 2020, and stored according to the requirements of RCW 70.125.101
must be transported to the applicable local law enforcement agency.
(2)(a) The applicable local law enforcement agency is responsible for conducting the transport of the unreported sexual assault kit from the collecting entity to the agency as required under subsection (1) of this section.
(b) The applicable law enforcement agency shall store and preserve the unreported sexual assault kit for twenty years from the date of collection.
(3) The term "applicable local law enforcement agency" refers to the local law enforcement agency that would have jurisdiction to investigate any related criminal allegations if they were to be reported to law enforcement. The applicable local law enforcement agency is determined through consultation between the collecting entity or, in the case of unreported sexual assault kits stored according to the requirements of RCW 70.125.101, the Washington state patrol, and local law enforcement agencies.
[
2020 c 26 s 3
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2020 c 26 s 3:
"Section 3 of this act takes effect June 30, 2020." [
2020 c 26 s 19
.]
Intent
—
2020 c 26:
See note following RCW 63.21.090
.
RCW 5.70.040
Sexual assault kits
—
Request for laboratory examination
—
Report to the legislature.
(1) When a law enforcement agency receives a sexual assault kit, the law enforcement agency must, within thirty days of its receipt, submit a request for laboratory examination to the Washington state patrol crime laboratory for prioritization for testing by it or another accredited laboratory that holds an outsourcing agreement with the Washington state patrol if:
(a) The law enforcement agency has received a related report or complaint alleging a sexual assault or other crime has occurred; and
(b)(i) Consent for laboratory examination has been given by the victim; or
(ii) The victim is a person under the age of eighteen who is not emancipated pursuant to chapter
13.64
RCW.
(2) Beginning May 1, 2022, when the Washington state patrol receives a request for laboratory examination of a sexual assault kit from a law enforcement agency, the Washington state patrol shall conduct the laboratory examination of the sexual assault kit, and when appropriate, enter relevant information into the combined DNA index system, within forty-five days of receipt of the request. The Washington state patrol crime laboratory must give priority to the laboratory examination of sexual assault kits at the request of a local law enforcement agency for:
(a) Active investigations and cases with impending court dates;
(b) Active investigations where public safety is an immediate concern;
(c) Violent crimes investigations, including active sexual assault investigations;
(d) Postconviction cases; and
(e) Other crimes' investigations and nonactive investigations, such as previously unsubmitted older sexual assault kits or recently collected sexual assault kits that the submitting agency has determined to be lower priority based on their initial investigation.
(3) The requirements to request and complete laboratory examination of sexual assault kits under subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not include forensic toxicological analysis. However, nothing in this section limits or modifies the authority of a law enforcement agency to request toxicological analysis of evidence collected in a sexual assault kit.
(4) The failure of a law enforcement agency to submit a request for laboratory examination, or the failure of the Washington state patrol to facilitate laboratory examination, within the time periods prescribed under this section does not constitute grounds in any criminal proceeding for challenging the validity of a DNA evidence association, and any evidence obtained from the sexual assault kit may not be excluded by a court on those grounds.
(5) A person accused or convicted of committing a crime against a victim has no standing to object to any failure to comply with the requirements of this section, and the failure to comply with the requirements of this section is not grounds for setting aside the conviction or sentence.
(6) Nothing in this section may be construed to create a private right of action or claim on the part of any individual, entity, or agency against any law enforcement agency or any contractor of any law enforcement agency.
(7) This section applies to sexual assault examinations performed on or after July 24, 2015.
(8)(a) Until June 30, 2023, the Washington state patrol shall compile the following information related to the sexual assault kits identified in this section and RCW 5.70.050
:
(i) The number of requests for laboratory examination made for sexual assault kits and the law enforcement agencies that submitted the requests; and
(ii) The progress made towards testing the sexual assault kits, including the status of requests for laboratory examination made by each law enforcement agency.
(b) The Washington state patrol shall make recommendations for increasing the progress on testing any untested sexual assault kits.
(c) Beginning in 2015, the Washington state patrol shall report its findings and recommendations annually to the appropriate committees of the legislature and the governor by December 1st of each year.
[
2020 c 26 s 4
;
2019 c 93 s 6
;
2015 c 247 s 1
. Formerly RCW 70.125.090
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
2020 c 26:
See note following RCW 63.21.090
.
RCW 5.70.050
Duty to submit requests for forensic analysis of sexual assault kits within time prescribed
—
Exceptions.
(1) Law enforcement agencies shall submit requests for forensic analysis of all sexual assault kits collected prior to July 24, 2015, and in the possession of the agencies to the Washington state patrol crime laboratory by October 1, 2019, except submission for forensic analysis is not required when: (a) Forensic analysis has previously been conducted; (b) there is documentation of an adult victim or emancipated minor victim expressing that he or she does not want his or her sexual assault kit submitted for forensic analysis; or (c) a sexual assault kit is noninvestigatory and held by a law enforcement agency pursuant to an agreement with a hospital or other medical provider. The requirements of this subsection apply regardless of the statute of limitations or the status of any related investigation.
(2) The Washington state patrol crime laboratory may consult with local law enforcement agencies to coordinate the efficient submission of requests for forensic analysis under this section in conjunction with the implementation of the statewide tracking system under RCW 43.43.545, provided that all requests are submitted and all required information is entered into the statewide sexual assault tracking system by October 1, 2019. The Washington state patrol crime laboratory shall facilitate the forensic analysis of all sexual assault kits submitted under this section by December 1, 2021. The analysis may be conducted by the Washington state patrol laboratory or an accredited laboratory holding a contract or agreement with the Washington state patrol. The Washington state patrol shall process the forensic analysis of sexual assault kits in accordance with the priorities in RCW 5.70.040
(2).
(3) The requirements to request and complete laboratory examination of sexual assault kits under this section do not include forensic toxicological analysis. However, nothing in this section limits or modifies the authority of a law enforcement agency to request toxicological analysis of evidence collected in a sexual assault kit.
(4) The failure of a law enforcement agency to submit a request for laboratory examination within the time prescribed under this section does not constitute grounds in any criminal proceeding for challenging the validity of a DNA evidence association, and any evidence obtained from the sexual assault kit may not be excluded by a court on those grounds.
(5) A person accused or convicted of committing a crime against a victim has no standing to object to any failure to comply with the requirements of this section, and the failure to comply with the requirements of this section is not grounds for setting aside the conviction or sentence.
(6) Nothing in this section may be construed to create a private right of action or claim on the part of any individual, entity, or agency against any law enforcement agency or any contractor of any law enforcement agency.
[
2020 c 26 s 5
;
2019 c 93 s 7
. Formerly RCW 70.125.100
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
2020 c 26:
See note following RCW 63.21.090
.
RCW 5.70.060
Case status updates
—
Reports.
(1) For any sexual assault kit under RCW 5.70.050
where forensic analysis has generated a profile that has resulted in a hit in the combined DNA index system, the office of the attorney general shall request information from the applicable law enforcement agency and prosecuting attorney as to the case status of any related criminal investigation and prosecution, including information as provided under RCW 5.70.005
(5) as well as any other relevant information. The law enforcement agency and prosecuting attorney shall provide requested case status updates to the office of the attorney general. The office of the attorney general shall consult with the association when developing any procedures for requesting and collecting case status updates under this section.
(2) Nothing in this section may be interpreted to require any law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney to disclose any information that would jeopardize an active criminal investigation or prosecution.
(3) The attorney general's office shall report quarterly to the association the investigational status of any sexual assault kit under RCW 5.70.050
.
(4) Beginning in 2022, in consultation with the attorney general's office, the association must submit reports on the information collected pursuant to this section to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1st and July 1st of each year.
[
2021 c 118 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2021 c 118:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 26, 2021]." [
2021 c 118 s 5
.]
RCW 5.70.070
Over-the-counter sexual assault kits.
(1) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Health care facility" means a hospital, clinic, nursing home, laboratory, office, or similar place situated in Washington state where a health care provider provides health care to patients.
(b) "Health care provider" means a person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized or permitted by law, in Washington state, to provide health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession, and includes a health care facility.
(c) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, or any other legal or commercial entity. The term does not include a government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality.
(d) "Sexual assault kit" means a product with which evidence of sexual assault is collected.
(2) A person may not sell, offer for sale, or otherwise make available a sexual assault kit:
(a) That is marketed or otherwise presented as over-the-counter, at-home, or self-collected or in any manner that indicates that the sexual assault kit may be used for the collection of evidence of sexual assault other than by law enforcement or a health care provider; or
(b) If the person intends, knows, or reasonably should know that the sexual assault kit will be used for the collection of evidence of sexual assault other than by law enforcement or a health care provider.
(3) The legislature finds that the practices covered by this section are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter
19.86
RCW. A violation of this section is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter
19.86
RCW.
[
2023 c 296 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
2023 c 296:
"It is the intent of the legislature to support survivors of sexual offenses through building victim-centered, trauma-informed systems that promote successful investigations and prosecutions of sexual offenses. Thorough and professional investigations, including preservation of forensic evidence, are imperative and a fundamental component in achieving these outcomes. At-home sexual assault test kits create false expectations and harm the potential for successful investigations and prosecutions. The sale of over-the-counter sexual assault kits may prevent survivors from receiving accurate information about their options and reporting processes; from obtaining access to appropriate and timely medical treatment and follow up; and from connecting to their community and other vital resources." [
2023 c 296 s 1
.]