MADISON – Today, Governor Tony Evers signed Senate Bills 71 and 94 into law. The new laws address the sexual assault kit backlog in Wisconsin.
Senator Agard released the following statement regarding the signing of the two bills:
“While no piece of legislation can ever erase the trauma of sexual violence, no one should experience barriers to justice. Today is a huge win for survivors across our state with the passage of Senate Bills 71 and 94 into law. I want to thank Governor Evers for signing these crucial bills into law.
“Though long overdue, these polices deliver the support and protection that survivors of sexual violence have long awaited for. The laws codified today will ensure procedures are in place that upholds survivors’ dignity, choice, and the right to a fair and just process, protecting those who choose not to report at the time of an assault, or who change their minds. For survivors in our state, we see you and honor you, and we will continue to work to support you. There is still much more work to be done to support survivors of sexual violence.
“We celebrate today bipartisan work that will bring about needed change in Wisconsin. When we come together to deliberate and cooperate, we deliver just solutions to Wisconsin’s most pressing issues. I want to thank Attorney General Kaul and former Attorney General Brad Schimel, legislators, advocates, survivors, and everyone else who worked tirelessly to help us cross the finish line. Survivors in our state will finally have a process that honors their dignity and properly supports them.”