PA.Regulation
Pennsylvania Act 106 standardizes sexual assault evidence testing statewide
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1212 was approved on October 22, 2026, as Act No. 106 of 2026, amending the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act of 2006. Sexual assault evidence now counts as awaiting testing whenever it has been collected and not yet analyzed, removing the local law enforcement agency's discretion over whether a kit should be tested. Laboratories and local agencies report backlogged evidence through the statewide tracking system. The act took effect immediately.
Enrolled text (Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)) → · Pennsylvania Senate Republicans
Key points
- Palegis records 'Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2026' and 'Act No. 106 of 2026' as the final actions.Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
- The amended definition of awaiting testing drops the condition that a local agency determine the evidence should undergo forensic analysis.Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
- Laboratories must report backlogged evidence through the section 3.1 tracking system and to the submitting agency; annual backlog data goes through the same system.Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
- Sponsor Pennycuick said the change builds on Act 122 of 2024, which required an online tracking system for sexual assault evidence.Pennsylvania Senate Republicans
- Final passage was 50-0 in the Senate and 203-0 in the House; the Senate concurred in House amendments 50-0.Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
- Section 3 provides that the act takes effect immediately, so it is in force from October 22, 2026.Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
Pennsylvania Senate Republicans
Filed under
RegulationPa.Pennsylvania sexual assault evidence testing standard (SB 1212)CriminalHealthcareRegulatoryFor practitionersFor governance