Crime reporting: health practitioners: reports.

Existing law requires a health practitioner, as specified, who, in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment, provides medical services to a patient who he or she knows, or reasonably suspects, has suffered from a wound or other physical injury where the injury is by means of a firearm or is the result of assaultive or abusive conduct, to make a report to a law enforcement agency, as specified. Existing law defines "assaultive or abusive conduct" for these purposes as a violation of specified crimes. Under existing law, a violation of this provision is a crime. This bill would require a health care practitioner who provides medical services to a patient who discloses that he or she is seeking treatment due to being the victim of assaultive or abusive conduct, to additionally make a report to a law enforcement agency. By increasing the scope of an existing crime, this bill 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.