Pennsylvania’s Track-Kit system, which enables victims of sexual assault to track and monitor the status of their rape test kits as it moves through processing, is expected to launch in Montgomery County by the end of 2026.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has already piloted the system in Lancaster, York and Erie counties, and a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice is helping to get the program up and running. Training and technical assistance will be provided to rape crisis programs, hospitals, law enforcement and other stakeholders, officials said.

Governor Josh Shapiro signed Act 122 in November 2024 “to establish a statewide sexual assault evidence tracking system”, according to the Commonwealth’s website. It continues:

This law is part of a broader effort to improve community safety and accountability in the handling of sexual assault cases and provides survivors with greater transparency, assurance, and accountability that their cases are being handled effectively and with care.

According to the website, the new system will:

• Provide 24/7 help desk availability. 
• Allow health care facilities, law enforcement, and forensic laboratories to enter key dates for each kit—from collection through analysis.
• Give victims/survivors the option to confidentially track their kit and receive automatic status updates.

“Today’s initiative is another critical step in supporting crime victims and survivors,” Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said. “This statewide tracking system will keep victims informed (and) help them get their power back. We hope this new system will lead to more cases being solved.”

You can learn more details via CBS 21’s video coverage below:

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Photo: PACast.com