Establishes the "Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act"

HB 979, the "Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act," requires hospitals and affiliated urgent care facilities to provide specific medical support to sexual assault victims. It mandates that facilities orally inform victims about emergency contraception, immediately provide it upon request, and offer sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment. The bill directly affects victims of defined sexual assaults (including rape, sodomy, and statutory offenses) seeking emergency care at covered health facilities. Key provisions focus on ensuring timely access to contraception and STI services without requiring additional patient requests or delays.