Legislation signed into law on June 29 by Gov. Bill Walker is expected to improve how law enforcement agencies address sexual assault cases.
House Bill 31, sponsored by Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, requires an annual audit of untested sexual assault kits and implements a victim-centered approach to reporting sexual assault.
The bill also requires 12 hours of sexual assault training for new police officers.
Tarr said she felt that the legislation and the $2.75 million in the capital budget for testing will create a new gold standard for reporting and testing that gives all victims options while shielding them from further harm.
The rape rate in Alaska is 2.5 times the national average and child sexual assault in the start is nearly six times the national average.
