Victims of sexual assault.

Existing law provides that no costs incurred by a qualified health care professional, hospital, or other emergency medical facility for the examination of the victim of a sexual assault for the purposes of gathering evidence for possible prosecution shall be charged directly or indirectly to the victim of the assault. Existing law provides that the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the alleged sexual assault was committed which requests the examination has the option of determining whether or not the examination will be performed in the office of a physician and surgeon, and that local jurisdiction shall bear those costs. This bill would provide that victims of sexual assault are not required to participate in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law enforcement in order to be provided with a forensic medical exam. Because this bill would expand a victim's right to a medical exam paid for by a local agency, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.