TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida law enforcement agencies soon will have to turn over rape kits for testing within 30 days, and the state will begin a needle exchange pilot program for drug users under new laws that will take effect July 1.
They were among nine Bills Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Wednesday.
The requirement to quickly test rape kits arose as an issue after an audit revealed Florida had about 13,000 untested kits. The state is also allocating money to reduce that backlog.
The needle exchange program will be run by the University of Miami, which will use mobile health clinics to reach neighborhoods known for drug use.
Another bill will designate the second week in February as Foster Family Appreciation Week.
