SENATE BILL NO. 69 "An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits; establishing the sexual assault examination kit tracking system; and providing for an effective date." 10:49:16 AM SUSIE FRENZEL, DIRECTOR OF VICTIM SERVICES AND FORENSIC SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) introduced herself. DAVID KANARIS, CHIEF OF FORENSIC LABORATORY, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, introduced himself. Mr. Kanaris discussed the presentation, "Senate Bill (SB) 69 Sexual Assault Examination Kit Tracking System(copy on file). He addressed slide 2, "Key Provisions Timelines for transmittal and testing of Sexual Assault Kits Codifying the Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System Survivor Rights and Transparency Mr. Kanaris highlighted slide 3, "Time Processing of Kits Medical providers must notify law enforcement within 14 days after evidence collection New Requirement Law enforcement must transfer kits to an accredited laboratory within 20 days Currently 30 days Laboratory must complete testing within 120 days Currently 180 days Mr. Kanaris pointed to slide 4, "Survivor Rights and Transparency Survivors must be notified when their kits are tested The tracking system enables survivors to stay informed and connected to their case without compromising their privacy or needing to re-engage with law enforcement The system ensures survivors can securely monitor the status of their kits and opt-in for automated updates Mr. Kanaris looked at slide 5, "Codification of the Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System Sexual assault examination kit tracking system will be operated by the Department of Public Safety Data remains confidential to protect survivor privacy Mr. Kanaris relayed that the current administration and legislative body had all been supportive of building the kit tracking system. Mr. Kanaris showed slide 6, which showed a photograph of the kit storage room that illustrated the problem. He thought that there were about 40,000 kits in the system over time, and there was an average of 500 to 600 sexual assault case kits per year. The crime lab was working as fast as it possibly could. Data from 2024 showed that the lab was able to work the kits within 133 days, and it was working to reduce the amount of time needed. 10:53:07 AM Co-Chair Stedman wondered about how minors were treated, and if the kits were tracked. He asked about information for parents or guardians. Mr. Kanaris relayed that about 16 percent of cases were from minor cases, which were entered into the database and given priority for faster processing. The survivor or parent/guardian would be supplied with a tracking number through which hit could access the database. Senator Kiehl understood that the fiscal note requested taking on state funding for a position that was currently grant funded. He was supportive of the bill. He asked what would happen with the position if the bill was not passed. Mr. Kanaris replied that there was a question of whether a state position could handle the capacity, which he doubted. He did not think current staffing levels were a sufficient way to work. 10:55:05 AM Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony. Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony. Senator Kiehl reviewed FN 1 from the Department of Public Safety, OMB Component 527. The note asked for $197,500 in FY 26, $148,000 of which was for the position. The position was reflective of additives. The out years showed the cost of the software rising slowly but steadily. 10:56:27 AM JAMES COCKRELL, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), gave a prepared statement. He thanked the committee. He requested that members look at what the department had done in closing gaps in the system over the past few years. He thought the state had come a long way in how it had treated victims. He thought the kit system was one way to offer victims control over the process. He relayed that the bill was a priority for the department. SB 69 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. Co-Chair Hoffman stated that the next meeting would be the following day at 9am.