Rape evidence will be preserved indefinitely under House bill.

The Georgia House voted unanimously Thursday to preserve sexual assault evidence indefinitely until cases are solved.

The legislation, House Bill 282, calls for police to save evidence of rapes and similar crimes so that perpetrators can be tracked down even many years later. Current state laws allow evidence of sexual assaults to be discarded after 10 years.

The bill, which passed 173-0, builds on a state law passed in 2016 that required a large backlog of rape kits to be tested.

» Live: Use AJC tracker to follow Georgia bills

» Photos: Crossover Day at the Georgia Legislature

Since then, more than 3,000 rape kits have been tested and serial rapists have been identified through DNA evidence, said state Rep. Scott Holcomb, the bill's sponsor.

"These crimes change and damage lives to a degree that is really incredible,” said said Holcomb, a Democrat from Atlanta. “Now that we’ve done all this testing, it may take time, it may take even decades, to get a match to the person who did it.”

The legislation now advances to the state Senate.

About the Author

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared on ABC's “The View” to share her criticisms for Republican Party leaders and answer a range of political questions.

LISTEN

Democrats hope voters will deliver change in Public Service Commission race

It’s Election Day across the country, with a few key battles in Georgia. The “Politically Georgia” team dives into races across the state.

State lawmakers pressure Georgia’s congressional delegation on shutdown

State lawmakers in both political parties are putting pressure on the other as the federal government shutdown continues.

The Latest

Credit: ABC

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

LISTEN

Democrats hope voters will deliver change in Public Service Commission race

State lawmakers pressure Georgia’s congressional delegation on shutdown

Featured

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Light turnout on Election Day in metro Atlanta

Georgia Public Service Commission seats are on the on the ballot for first time since 2020. Atlanta mayor, local government and school board seats are also up for grabs.

2h ago

Porsche, trips and more: Feds say former Hawks finance exec embezzled nearly $4M

The Hawks’ former senior vice president of financial planning and analysis allegedly spent years stealing money from the organization.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared on ABC's “The View” to share her criticisms for Republican Party leaders and answer a range of political questions.

Politics

Georgia House backs bill to save rape kit evidence

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

Democrats hope voters will deliver change in Public Service Commission race

State lawmakers pressure Georgia’s congressional delegation on shutdown

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

Democrats hope voters will deliver change in Public Service Commission race

State lawmakers pressure Georgia’s congressional delegation on shutdown

Light turnout on Election Day in metro Atlanta

Porsche, trips and more: Feds say former Hawks finance exec embezzled nearly $4M

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’