Rape statute of limitations may end in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Kansas legislature passed a bill that would end the statute of limitations for prosecuting rape cases in the state.

The bill was approved by the Senate on Thursday, and passed unanimously in the House of Representatives on Friday.

Right now, Kansas is one of 10 states that requires rape cases to be prosecuted within five years of the alleged crime.

"This is a serious crime," said Angie Blumel with the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. "We’re taking it very seriously, and we’re providing victims of this crime more opportunity to come forward and hold perpetrators of rape accountable."

Gov. Sam Brownback still needs to sign the bill into law.