Bill aims to tackle untested rape kit backlog in Texas
DALLAS - A Dallas congresswoman introduced a bill in the Texas Legislature to help tackle the backlog of untested rape kits in Texas.
State Rep. Victoria Neave (D) is sponsoring the Lavinia Masters Act, which has bipartisan support.
The bill would require an audit to determine the number, status and location of rape kits in the state.
It’s named after Lavinia Masters, who was raped in her Dallas home when she was 13. Her attacker was eventually caught but her rape kit sat on a shelf for 21 years.
“When they finally found out who he was, he was known as a serial rapist all because my evidence sat on the shelf,” Masters said.
“We want folks to know every rape kit is not just a number sitting on the shelf. Every rape kit represents a survivor. Every rape kit tells a story,” Neave said.
Last year, Neave also authored a new law that allows people getting or renewing their driver’s license to donate money for this cause.