Action News Jax first told last spring how there were thousands of rape kits in Florida that hadn't been tested because of a backlog.
"We first learned about this issue last summer since there's been an investigation and 13,000 untested kits in the state of Florida," Adkins said.
Adkins says this was unacceptable, and that's why she pushed for this bill.
As for the thousands of untested rape kits, Governor Scott’s budget invests $10.7 million in Florida’s crime labs to help with this backlog and make sure the kits get tested.
"This is huge for Florida when you look at the crime for sexual assault it is time that we send a very clear message to these predators that justice will be served," Adkins said.
Adkins says she received emotional pleas from families in hopes this bill would pass. She says this is a step in the right direction to get justice for those sexually assaulted.
Cox Media Group
