DENVER (AP) – Sex assault victims would be able to undergo forensic evidence collection without reporting a crime under a measure pending in the Colorado Legislature.
The state Senate gave unanimous bipartisan support Tuesday to the bill. It would allow people to report sex assaults to medical personnel without necessarily filing a police report.
RELATED: Bill Would Allow Rape Victims To Keep Their Names Out Of Police Reports
Sponsors say that victims of sex assault may not be ready to talk to police but should be examined by doctors so that forensic evidence could be gathered. Mandatory reporting requirements now require medical personnel to report those incidents to police.
The bill also allows victims to talk anonymously to law enforcement about a sex assault.
The Senate must take one more formal vote before the measure moves to the House.
LINK: Senate Bill 128
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