Existing law: (1) requires a county in whose jurisdiction a sexual assault is committed to pay any costs incurred by a hospital for a forensic medical examination of the victim; and (2) provides that such costs must not be charged directly to the victim. (NRS 217.300) Similarly, existing law: (1) requires a county in whose jurisdiction a domestic violence battery by strangulation is committed to pay any costs incurred by a hospital for a strangulation forensic medical examination of the victim; and (2) provides that such costs must not be charged directly to the victim. (NRS 217.405)
Sections 3 and 13 of this bill remove and repeal the provisions of existing law requiring the costs incurred by a hospital for a forensic medical examination of a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence battery by strangulation to be paid by the county. Instead, section 1 of this bill establishes procedures by which a health care facility may be reimbursed by the Department of Health and Human Services for any costs incurred by the health care facility for the forensic medical examination of a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, battery which is committed by strangulation or certain offenses related to human trafficking. Additionally, section 1 prohibits the health care facility from directly charging the victims for the costs of such a forensic medical examination. Sections 2 and 4-12 of this bill make conforming changes necessary to implement the new procedures for reimbursement.