How Indiana looks to catch up with neighboring states in eliminating rape kit backlog
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Indiana lawmakers are considering a way out of a long-standing rape kit backlog.
Like its neighboring state of Kentucky, Indiana has faced a backlog in rape kits in the thousands, with cold cases dating back decades. However, unlike the Commonwealth, Indiana has not made quite as many reforms, and their backlog remains substantial.
It appears that many lawmakers hope that is not the case for long.
Indiana lawmakers have handed over an effort to eliminate the state’s rape kit backlog to the Senate, after HB 1413 received unanimous support in the House.
It allocates $2.5 million dollars to state crime labs, who tell lawmakers there is a financial shortfall in the testing of rape kits.
“The reason we have the backlog we do is because we don’t have enough equipment, and they are having trouble paying competitive wages because these degreed professionals can be recruited out a few years,” the bill’s author Rep. Becky Cash (R-District 25) said.
A few years ago, Cash says the backlog was at more than 6,000 kits.
That number has since dipped thanks to federal grants, but, down to at least 600 kits, it is far from zero.