Senate Bill 844 aims to expand the scope of forensic examinations covered by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for victims of certain offenses, specifically those involving domestic abuse and strangulation, in addition to sex offenses. The bill mandates that the DOJ reimburse health care providers for the costs of these examinations, which is set to a maximum of $3,000, an increase from the previous limit of $1,200. Furthermore, the bill introduces a new grant program to support health care facilities in recruiting and retaining providers who conduct these examinations, ensuring that facilities maintain any newly created positions or programs for a specified period after grant funding ends.

In terms of legal language changes, the bill modifies existing statutes to redefine terms related to victimization and examination costs, ensuring that the definitions encompass a broader range of offenses. Notably, the term "sexual assault" is replaced with "forensic examination compensation" in the title of the relevant chapter, and the definition of "victim" is expanded to include those affected by domestic abuse and strangulation. The bill also establishes new provisions for training health care providers on conducting these examinations, reflecting a comprehensive approach to improving support for victims and enhancing the capabilities of health care providers in this area.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 949.20(1), 949.20, 949.20(3), 949.20(9), 949.24(1), 949.24, 949.24(3), 949.26(1), 949.26, 949.26(3)