Section 1 clarifies county responsibility for costs related to the medical examination of a victim of criminal sexual conduct when the exam is performed for the purpose of gathering evidence. Under current law, counties are responsible for the costs of the rape kit examination and associated tests related to sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy.
Paragraph (a) includes the cost of prophylactic medications.
Paragraph (b) requires the hospital to inform the victim of the county’s responsibility.
Paragraph (c) allows victim’s insurer to be billed for the costs of the examination only if specifically authorized by the victim after the exam is performed.
Paragraph (d) requires the health care provider examination report meet state and federal law requirements for patient confidentiality.
Paragraph (e) provides that if the victim does not report the offense to law enforcement, the county may seek verification of the location of the assault from the health care provider.
Paragraph (f) provides that if the victim does report the offense but the location of the assault is not known, the law enforcement agency responsible for the jurisdiction where the hospital is located shall take initial custody of the examination kit.
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