OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, on Tuesday won committee passage of a bill that would require investigating law enforcement agencies to release to victims of sexual assault the status of any forensic evidence collected as part of their criminal case if requested.

House Bill 2705 passed unanimously in the House Criminal Judiciary Committee. It is now eligible for consideration by the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight.

“Sexual assault is horrendous crime. Victims deserve to be kept up to date on the status of any evidence collected as their criminal cases move forward,” said Ford, a former police officer with more than 25 years of service.

HB2705 includes a victim’s right to be informed of whether a DNA profile was obtained during forensic evidence collection. If so, whether the DNA profile has been entered into a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)  Database, and whether there is a confirmed match between the DNA profile developed from the sexual assault evidence and a DNA profile contained within the CODIS Database.

The measure does not, however, require the disclosure of evidence, information, or results that would impede or compromise an ongoing criminal investigation.

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Ross Ford, a Republican, represents House District 76 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of Tulsa County.

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