SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 58

(By Senators Prezioso, Stollings, Cline, Jeffries, Lindsay, Rucker, and Romano)

[Introduced March 4, 2020]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Health study the issue of sexual violence in the State of West Virginia, as well as the efficacy of our funding structure to support rapid response and victim assistance.

Whereas, The number one reason for incarceration in the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation is sexual assault; and

Whereas, Lack of state funding has created service gaps in our prisons because they cannot meet federal mandates regarding access to outside sexual assault services; and

Whereas, Women in West Virginia are more likely to be a survivor of sexual assault than cancer; and

Whereas, One quarter of West Virginia counties have no state-funded rape crisis services; and

Whereas, Nurses and doctors must be specially trained in how to conduct and collect rape kits and DNA evidence; and

Whereas, Hospitals in this state, especially in rural areas, are closing doors and reducing services; and

Whereas, All metrics for the first quarter of FY 2020 show an increased demand for these services; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Health is hereby requested to study the issue of sexual violence in the State of West Virginia, as well as the efficacy of our funding structure to support rapid response and victim assistance; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study include the issue of sexual violence in West Virginia, the role of rape crisis centers, the high level of sex offenders, and the inequity of addressing victim needs, as well as the efficacy of state funding towards the needs the committee may find; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Health report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2021, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.