Gov. Evers Takes Action on Two Bills to Support Victims and Survivors of Sexual Assault

WEST BEND — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Senate Bill 71, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 116, establishing a statutory procedure for collecting and submitting sexual assault kits to state crime laboratories for processing and retention—a similar provision was included in the governor’s 2021-23 biennial budget proposal. Additionally, he signed Senate Bill 94, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 117, creating a tracking system for survivors to access information about the status of their sexual assault kit as it moves through the criminal justice process.

“Victims and survivors of sexual assault have already gone through the unimaginable, and their path to justice should never be obstructed or delayed,” said Gov. Evers. “I am proud to sign these bills today, increasing transparency and accountability in the state’s testing process for sexual assault kits to help prevent future delays in justice for victims while empowering survivors with resources to track their kits directly.”

Senate Bill 71, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 116:

• Creates a statutory procedure for collecting, submitting and retaining sexual assault kits;
• Adds a duty for the Department of Justice to collect information on collected sexual assault kits;
• Requires the Department of Justice to publish, at least annually, data on law enforcement compliance with collecting information on collected sexual assault kits; and;
• Creates civil and criminal immunity for healthcare professionals conducting a sexual assault forensic examination pursuant to informed consent or a court order.

Senate Bill 94, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 117:

• Requires the Department of Justice to establish the Wisconsin Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System, a database to provide sexual assault victims access to information about the status of any sexual assault kit the victim has provided;
• States that when a law enforcement agency or healthcare professional collects evidence, or when the crime laboratories perform a DNA analysis of a sexual assault kit, each shall enter information in the Wisconsin Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System; and
• Determines that the Wisconsin Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System must provide victims the ability to anonymously track the location and status of their sexual assault kit and allow criminal justice stakeholders the ability to update and track the location and status of kits.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

Recent Press Releases by Gov. Tony Evers

Read: Gov. Evers Slams Wisconsin Republicans in Congress for Repeatedly Caving on President Trump’s Erratic Tariffs, Enabling Latest Reckless Trade War With Wisconsin’s Largest Export Partner as Retaliatory Tariffs Take Effect

Sep 8th, 2026 by Gov. Tony Evers

As retaliatory tariffs go into effect today that are expected to send costs skyrocketing, Gov. Evers blasts Wisconsin Republicans in Congress for voting in lockstep with President Trump on his disastrous economic policies and enabling chaotic trade wars that are hurting Wisconsin farmers, producers, manufacturers, and working families

Gov. Evers, WisDOT Announce Grants to Support 42 New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Across Wisconsin

Sep 8th, 2026 by Gov. Tony Evers

Federal funding Gov. Evers fought for and secured to be awarded to 42 communities across the state to expand Wisconsin’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Gov. Evers, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Packers Celebrate Return of Badgers Hockey to Lambeau Field for Travel Wisconsin Frozen Tundra Faceoff

Sep 2nd, 2026 by Gov. Tony Evers

Travel Wisconsin to sponsor Frozen Tundra Faceoff featuring Badgers women’s and men’s hockey matchups at iconic Lambeau Field