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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
sexual offenses; forensic examination; expenses
Purpose
Prohibits a health care institution from charging any fee or issuing any additional balance bill to a patient as part of a medical or forensic interview or examination arising out of the need to secure evidence that a person has been the victim of a dangerous crime against children (DCAC) or sexual assault.
Background
The county in which a DCAC or sexual assault occurs must pay for any
medical or forensic interview expenses with federal monies, state monies that
are appropriated by the Legislature for investigation purposes or any
applicable combination of federal and state monies (A.R.S.
§ 13-1414). DCACs include various offenses
committed against a minor who is under 15 years
old including various sexual assault offenses, various murder or attempted
murder offenses and child abuse, among other offenses (A.R.S.
§ 13-705).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a county in which a DCAC or a sexual assault occurred to pay for any expenses arising out of the need to secure evidence of that offense including, in addition to any medical or forensic interview, any examination expenses.
2. Requires each county to publish on the county's website the name of the county official who is responsible for paying the expenses for any medical or forensic interview or examination expenses.
3. Prohibits a health care institution from charging an intake, consultation, facility or other fee to a patient as part of a medical or forensic interview or examination arising from an alleged DCAC or sexual assault for which the county is required to pay.
4. Prohibits a health care institution or health care provider from issuing, either directly or through its billing company, any additional balance bill to a patient relating to a medical or forensic interview or examination arising from an alleged DCAC or sexual assault for which the county is required to pay.
5. Makes a conforming change.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 15, 2022
ZD/HW/sr