SPRINGFIELD — At-home sexual assault evidence collection kits, often sold and marketed directly to consumers, are raising concerns about their reliability and the risks they pose to survivors seeking justice. State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is working to strengthen standards by ensuring evidence is collected by trained medical professionals.

“At-home collection kits may sound ideal for privacy reasons, but they don’t provide the same level of support or legal integrity as exams conducted by a medical professional,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “No one should be sold false hope during one of the most traumatic experiences in their life.”

At-home sexual assault evidence collection kits are marketed online as an alternative to medical forensic exams, but they lack the oversight and expertise needed for reliable evidence collection. In Illinois, professional exams not only address physical trauma but offer emotional support, with a trained crisis advocate explaining the survivor’s rights and options. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners conduct the exams, collect evidence according to established protocols and can testify in court if necessary.

The Illinois Attorney General has raised concerns that these at-home kits are unreliable and unlikely to hold up in criminal court proceedings due to issues with evidence handling. To address these risks, House Bill 2548 would make it illegal for anyone other than a medical professional to sell, advertise or distribute sexual assault evidence collection kits. Under Glowiak Hilton’s bill, survivors who are misled into purchasing a kit could seek compensation for any harm caused by false claims about the kit’s effectiveness in pursuing criminal charges.

“These kits mislead survivors during a vulnerable time,” said Glowiak Hilton. “We are prioritizing survivors by ensuring evidence is collected properly.”

House Bill 2548 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.