SB 2211 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Sexual assault kits; require right of information to victim and regulate rights of victims to care and exams by hospitals.

SB 2211 requires Mississippi hospitals with emergency departments to maintain trained staff (physicians, nurses, or physician assistants) available 24/7 to conduct forensic exams and prepare sexual assault evidence kits for victims. It mandates written notification to victims about kit policies, DNA testing status, and any planned destruction of evidence (with a 60-day notice period), extending preservation until 20 years after evidence collection or until the victim turns 40 if under 18 at the time of assault. Hospitals must also stock sufficient kits and may contract with forensic nurses for these services. The bill directly affects sexual assault victims by strengthening their access to information and care, and hospitals by imposing new operational requirements.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed Apr 23, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the upper → Current version · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand requirements for licensed hospitals regarding sexual assault victim care and evidence collection. The changes add specific staffing requirements for hospitals to have qualified medical personnel available for forensic examinations, mandate that hospitals maintain sufficient evidence collection kits, and authorize hospitals to contract with forensic nurses for these services. The bill also clarifies the notification timeline for victims about evidence destruction.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from primarily addressing law enforcement notification timelines to include comprehensive hospital requirements for sexual assault victim care and evidence collection.

REQUIREMENT

Requires licensed hospitals operating emergency departments to have at least one physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or registered nurse available at all times to conduct forensic examinations and prepare evidence collection kits for sexual assault victims.

Mandates that all licensed hospitals maintain a sufficient supply of sexual assault evidence collection kits for forensic examinations.

Authorizes licensed hospitals to contract with forensic nurses to conduct forensic examinations and prepare evidence collection kits.

Added requirements for hospitals to screen, treat, or examine victims of sexual assault who present to the hospital.

DEFINITION

Added Section 2 to define key terms including 'sexual assault' and 'sexual assault evidence collection kit' by referencing existing Section 99-51-1.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 6, 2025 · House Mar 12, 2025

How they voted

51–0

Passed

Total votes 51

Feb 6, 2025

D Democratic16

16 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican35

35 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 23, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Report Adopted

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference Report Filed

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Committee

Recommitted For Further Conf

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Report Adopted

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference Report Filed

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

Referred To Judiciary B

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

upper

Jan 20, 2025

Committee

Referred To Judiciary, Division B

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor