pa-56-39-1420: Establishment of minimum standard requirements for sexual assault evidence collection (Part II)

Summary

Section 3 of the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act (act) (35 P.S. § 10172.3) establishes a Statewide sexual assault evidence collection program to be administered by the Department of Health (Department). Under this program, the Department is to consult with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) and the State Police to develop and review, on a scheduled basis, the minimum standard requirements for all rape kits used in hospitals and health care facilities in this Commonwealth, to test and approve commercially available rape kits for use in this Commonwealth and to establish a program to train appropriate personnel in the correct use and application of rape kits. Under the act, the Department, in consultation with PCAR and the State Police, established a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Committee (Committee). The Com-mittee includes representatives of the Department, PCAR, the State Police, forensic nurse examiners, forensic scientists, members of sexual assault response teams, law enforcement and representatives of the Commission on Crime and Delinquency. In accordance with the act, the Committee met on September 3, 2026, and formulated minimum standard requirements for sexual assault evidence collection in this Commonwealth. The minimum standard requirements established by the Committee should be observed by all health care facilities and child advocacy centers in this Commonwealth, and these facilities and centers should meet or exceed those...

The agency’s own summary, as published.