Creation of model policy for handling, maintenance and testing of sexual assault evidence kits and hold kits

(a) To provide for the implementation and efficient operation of § 39-13-519 and to ensure a uniform policy for the handling, maintenance, and testing of sexual assault evidence kits and hold kits, the domestic violence state coordinating council shall create a model policy for law enforcement agencies responding to reports of sexually oriented crimes. (b) The model policy shall include guidelines for officers on: (1) Investigating reports of sexually oriented crimes; (2) Providing victim assistance; (3) Collaborating with victim advocates, healthcare providers, and victim service agencies; and (4) Collecting, storing, and submitting sexual assault evidence kits to the state crime lab or similar qualified laboratory for either serology or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing. (c) The model policy shall be distributed to all law enforcement agencies that are likely to encounter reports of sexually oriented crimes on or before January 1, 2016. (d) All law enforcement agencies that are likely to encounter reports of sexually oriented crimes shall establish written policies and procedures on responding to reports of sexually oriented crimes. An agency may adopt the model policy developed by the domestic violence state coordinating council or an agency may adopt its own policy; provided, that the policy includes the same or higher standards as the model policy developed by the council. Each agency shall adopt its written policy on or before July 1, 2016.