House Bill No. by Representative Freeman aims to enhance the examination and medical care of victims of human trafficking-related offenses and domestic violence offenses involving strangulation. The bill amends existing laws to explicitly include definitions and procedures for forensic medical examinations for these victims. Key provisions require healthcare providers to conduct thorough examinations that include patient interviews, evidence collection, and necessary medical treatments without billing the survivors directly. Additionally, hospitals and healthcare providers are mandated to provide information to survivors about their rights and available services.

The legislation also outlines a reimbursement process for healthcare providers conducting these forensic medical examinations, ensuring costs are covered by the Crime Victim Reparations Fund, which will now include expenses related to the newly defined offenses. The bill emphasizes comprehensive care for survivors, including the availability of advocates during examinations and necessary medications. It modifies existing provisions to prohibit direct billing for survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence offenses involving strangulation, while also clarifying what constitutes medical treatment exempt from forensic costs. The Louisiana State Law Institute is tasked with alphabetizing and renumbering certain paragraphs to reflect these changes.

Statutes affected:
HB998 Original: 15:622(A), 40:1(A), 46:1816(B), 46:1822(A)