TOPEKA, Kan.  -  The Kansas Senate has given initial approval to legislation abolishing the statute of limitations on prosecuting rape.  The measure debated Wednesday also changes the time limits for prosecuting a sexually violent crime. Final Senate action is scheduled Thursday.
     Kansas is among 10 states that now require a rape to be prosecuted within five years.  The legislation does away with that limit.  The bill also allows for prosecution of a sexually violent crime to begin within 10 years if the victim is at least 18 years old.
     For younger victims, prosecution would begin within one year of the date the suspect is identified through DNA testing, or within 10 years of the victim's 18th birthday, whichever is later.