New Law Makes Sexual Assault Exams Available at UConn

Gov. Dannel Malloy has signed a law requiring sexual assault forensic examinations to be made available at the University of Connecticut's main campus in Storrs.

The governor's office said Tuesday the legislation was among 12 bills passed by the General Assembly.

UConn students had said they were concerned that the nearest location for sexual assault exams is at Windham Hospital about 8 miles from campus. Six acute care hospitals in Connecticut operate with staff trained to use so-called rape kits.

The bill also requires sexual forensic examiners to receive 40 hours of classroom training and have knowledge of legal issues, such as chain of custody.

UConn settled a lawsuit last summer by five women who accused the school of failing to take their claims of campus sexual assaults seriously.