MADISON – Today, Governor Tony Evers signed into law Senate Bills 71 and 94, which relate to the storage, processing, and tracking of sexual assault kits. These bills aim to address the sexual assault kit backlog in Wisconsin. Both bills passed the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly unanimously or by voice vote, with broad bipartisan support. State Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) issued the following statement in support of these bills being signed into law:
“We need to put survivors at the center of this conversation, and focus on their needs in the justice process. The testing of sexual assault kits interacts with the physical and mental health of people across the state. They deserve their justice, dignity, and peace. Action for survivors has been long overdue.
“I appreciate and applaud the work of my colleague, State Senator Melissa Agard, and former State Representative Chris Taylor, as well as our Attorney General Josh Kaul, for their steadfast advocacy of these critical pieces of legislation. Their work on these bills, and their persistence to get these bills signed into law, ensure that there is a comprehensive approach and process that upholds the dignity and choice of survivors.
“Wisconsin must be a state with zero tolerance for sexual violence. With that goal in mind, these bills, now signed into law, are an important and necessary step toward a safer Wisconsin for all our residents.
“I join Senator Agard in declaring that today is a day to celebrate progress! And tomorrow we will wake up and continue to fight. To the survivors: we see you, we believe you, we love you, and we will not stop fighting on your behalf.”
Rep. Vining represents the 14th Assembly District, which includes parts of Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Milwaukee. For more information, visit Rep. Vining’s website here.
