Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation that “ensures victims of a sexual crime are not charged for any part of the medical or forensic examination related to the crime,” according to a press release by Ducey’s office.
Senate Bill 1593, sponsored by State Senator Sine Kerr (R-Buckeye), “prohibits health care institutions from charging an intake, consultation, facility or other fee to a patient as part of a medical and forensic interview or examination for a sexual assault.” The legislation also “prohibits health care institutions from billing a sexual assault patient seeking care, either directly or through a billing company.”
“Charging victims of sexual crimes for their medical examinations is shameful, and we cannot let it happen in Arizona,” Ducey said in a statement. “There is no other crime where a victim is charged for the collection of evidence — so thanks to the leadership and advocacy of Senator Kerr and community groups across the state, we’re tightening the law with Senate Bill 1593. Arizona will continue to stand up for victims and survivors and help protect them as they recover, and I thank everyone who supported this crucial legislation.”
Additionally, S.B. 1593 “expands the list of sexual offenses for which counties are required to pay for medical and forensic examinations to include additional sexual crimes against victims ages 15 to 17 that were not included in the prior statute.” Each county must also publish on its website the name of the county official who is responsible for paying the expenses for any medical or forensic examination, according to Ducey’s office.
The legislation signed by Ducey fulfills a priority that was outlined in his January State of the State Address.
“A few years ago, when we learned of the massive backlog of untested rape kits – we worked in a bipartisan manner to clear that backlog, and to make sure victims were prioritized,” Ducey said during his State of the State Address. “But as we’ve learned, government bureaucrats often find a way around the law – in this case, some counties are charging these women – these victims – up to $800 in processing charges, and sending the bill to collections. It’s shameful, so we will be cracking down on this government abuse, and with your help, tightening the law.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network
Photo “Doug Ducey” and Background Photo “Arizona Capitol” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.
