Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., has signed on to legislation that would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and extend programs aimed at eliminating the nationwide rape kit backlog.
That act is set to expire at the end of this month.
“Violence Against Women Act funds are essential to assisting survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence by providing access to counseling, housing, life-saving services and support law enforcement efforts,” she said.
Rosen said the VAWA and the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act includes provisions critical to addressing the nation’s rape kit backlog.
Nevada moved to eliminate the backlog during the 2017 Legislature, funded in part by money from the JP Morgan deceptive trade practices settlement that was provided by Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt’s office.
A large percentage of those kits have now been sent to test labs.