OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, has filed a bill that would require investigating law enforcement agencies to inform victims of sexual assault the status of any forensic evidence collected as part of their criminal case.

House Bill 2705 will be eligible for consideration during the upcoming legislation session, which starts Feb. 3.

Ford, a former police officer with more than 25 years of service, said, "Sexual assault is a horrific crime that already steals too much from victims. This measure is intended to at least give them the peace of mind in knowing whether a law enforcement agency has forensic evidence in their possession and the status of that evidence being processed and potentially matched with the perpetrator of the crime."

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 which would impede or compromise an ongoing criminal investigation.

If signed into law, the measure would take effect Nov. 1.

HB2705 builds upon previous measures Ford has filed to better protect victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. House Bill 4374 was signed into law in 2022, expanding the definition of who can obtain a protective order. House Bill 3863 was signed into law in 2024, exempting domestic violence victims from initial credit and deposit requirements for public utilities in an effort to ensure they can secure safe housing in a timelier manner.