Governor Matt Blunt (R-MO) has signed into law House Bill 583 , which strengthens laws governing the rights of domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

There are several components to the law, including one that would eliminate the requirement that sexual assault victims be forced to pay for the medical exam commonly called a "rape kit," to gather the attacker’s DNA and other evidence and to archive the assault.

Additionally, accusers cannot be subject to required polygraph tests as a condition for prosecutors or police to begin investigating alleged crimes; victims’ names can be removed from state and local public records to help keep women safe by making it more difficult for abusers to find victims’ home or work addresses; and children are better protected by provisions that make it easier to sue for psychological injuries caused by sexual exploitation.

Download/Listen: Governor Matt Blunt, Representative Connie Johnson, Senator Michael Gibbons