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Public Law114th CongressCrime and Law Enforcement
H.R. 5578Became Law

Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Oct 7, 2016)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish statutory rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to: (1) not be prevented from receiving a forensic medical examination and not be charged for an examination; (2) have a sexual assault evidence collection kit (i.e., a rape kit) preserved for 20 years or the maximum applicable statute of limitations, whichever is shorter; (3) receive written notification prior to destruction or disposal of a rape kit; and (4) be informed of these rights and policies.

Additionally, it makes statutory crime victims' rights applicable to sexual assault survivors.

The term "sexual assault" means any nonconsensual sexual act prohibited by federal, state, or tribal law, including when a victim lacks capacity to consent.

Funds made available to the Crime Victims Fund under the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 must be used to carry out the requirements concerning these rights, subject to specified exceptions.

The bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to authorize the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Office of Justice Programs to make grants to states to develop sexual assault survivors' rights and policies and to disseminate written notice of such rights and policies to medical centers, hospitals, forensic examiners, sexual assault service providers, law enforcement agencies, and other state entities.

(Sec. 4) DOJ must establish a working group to develop, coordinate, and disseminate best practices regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence.

What just happenedOct 7, 2016

Became Public Law No: 114-236.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Walters, Mimi [R-CA-45](R-CA)Sponsor
40 cosponsors28 D12 R
Read on Congress.gov
40cosponsors3committees34actions3related bills13subjects
  1. Oct 7, 2016President

    Became Public Law No: 114-236.

  2. Oct 7, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 114-236.

  3. Oct 7, 2016President

    Signed by President.

  4. Oct 7, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Oct 3, 2016Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Oct 3, 2016President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Sep 28, 2016Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Sep 28, 2016Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

  9. Sep 28, 2016Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

  10. Sep 28, 2016Discharge

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6198-6199)

    Judiciary Committee
  11. Sep 28, 2016Committee14500

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6198-6199)

    Judiciary Committee
  12. Sep 7, 2016IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. Sep 6, 2016FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  14. Sep 6, 2016FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 0 (Roll no. 479). (text: CR H5045-5046)

  15. Sep 6, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 0 (Roll no. 479).(text: CR H5045-5046)

  16. Sep 6, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5071)

  17. Sep 6, 2016FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  18. Sep 6, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5578.

  19. Sep 6, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5045-5049)

  20. Sep 6, 2016FloorH30300

    Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  21. Sep 6, 2016CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 546.

  22. Sep 6, 2016DischargeH12300

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  23. Sep 6, 2016Committee5500

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  24. Sep 6, 2016CommitteeH12200

    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 114-707, Part I.

    Judiciary Committee
  25. Sep 6, 2016Committee5000

    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 114-707, Part I.

    Judiciary Committee
  26. Jul 7, 2016Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

    Judiciary Committee
  27. Jul 7, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Judiciary Committee
  28. Jul 5, 2016Committee

    Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Discharged.

    Judiciary Committee
  29. Jun 30, 2016Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
  30. Jun 24, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  31. Jun 24, 2016IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  32. Jun 24, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  33. Jun 24, 2016IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  34. Jun 24, 2016IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawOct 7, 201649

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish statutory rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to: (1) not be prevented from receiving a forensic medical examination and not be charged for an examination; (2) have a sexual assault evidence collection kit (i.e., a rape kit) preserved for 20 years or the maximum applicable statute of limitations, whichever is shorter; (3) receive written notification prior to destruction or disposal of a rape kit; and (4) be informed of these rights and policies.

Additionally, it makes statutory crime victims' rights applicable to sexual assault survivors.

The term "sexual assault" means any nonconsensual sexual act prohibited by federal, state, or tribal law, including when a victim lacks capacity to consent.

Funds made available to the Crime Victims Fund under the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 must be used to carry out the requirements concerning these rights, subject to specified exceptions.

The bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to authorize the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Office of Justice Programs to make grants to states to develop sexual assault survivors' rights and policies and to disseminate written notice of such rights and policies to medical centers, hospitals, forensic examiners, sexual assault service providers, law enforcement agencies, and other state entities.

(Sec. 4) DOJ must establish a working group to develop, coordinate, and disseminate best practices regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence.

Introduced in HouseJun 24, 2016

Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish statutory rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to: (1) not be prevented from receiving a forensic medical examination and not be charged for an examination; (2) have a sexual assault evidence collection kit (i.e., a rape kit) preserved for 20 years or the maximum applicable statute of limitations, whichever is shorter; (3) receive written notification prior to destruction or disposal of a rape kit; and (4) be informed of these rights and policies.

Additionally, it makes statutory crime victims' rights applicable to sexual assault survivors.

The term "sexual assault" means any nonconsensual sexual act prohibited by federal, state, or tribal law, including when a victim lacks capacity to consent.

Funds made available to the Crime Victims Fund under the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 must be used to carry out the requirements concerning these rights, subject to specified exceptions.

The bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to authorize the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Office of Justice Programs to make grants to states to develop sexual assault survivors' rights and policies and to disseminate written notice of such rights and policies to medical centers, hospitals, forensic examiners, sexual assault service providers, law enforcement agencies, and other state entities.

DOJ must establish a working group to develop, coordinate, and disseminate best practices regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence.

Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016 — Informed