Gov. Kim Reynolds signed two bills on Wednesday that were proposed by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to assist survivors of sexual assault. House File 603 creates a sexual assault forensic examiner program, which will provide training and resources to health care professionals around the state. Senate File 451 formally establishes a tracking system for sexual assault evidence kits and ensures future funding for the program. “I want sexual assault survivors to know that their case matters, that they matter,” Attorney General Tom Miller said. “These laws provide critical services to survivors and increase accountability and transparency in the investigations of these crimes.” The goal of the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner program is to increase the number of nurses who are trained in examining survivors after a sexual assault, particularly in underserved areas of the state. The training will increase consistency in how exams are conducted and how information is given to survivors at the time of an exam. Regarding tracking of evidence, in October 2020, Miller’s Crime Victim Assistance Division completed the rollout of the Track-Kit statewide reporting system. The software program allows survivors to track the status of their evidence kits. Senate File 451 codifies the responsibilities of the estimated 1,500 users of the reporting system at medical facilities, law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories and county attorney offices. The legislation also sets forth requirements for the storage and disposal of kits, including requiring victim notification before disposal of a kit.