TO:	Honorable James White, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2462 by Neave (Relating to a forensic medical examination occurring with respect to a sexual assault reported to a law enforcement agency.), As Introduced

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require a law enforcement agency to request, with the victim's consent, a forensic medical examination of the victim of a sexual assault if the report is made within 120 hours of the assault. 

The bill would authorize a law enforcement agency to request a forensic medical examination of a victim of sexual assault, even if the 120 hour reporting timeframe is not met, if the agency believes the examination would further the investigation or prosecution or the physician or examiner notifies the agency that the examination should be conducted. 

The bill would require a law enforcement agency to which a sexual assault is reported to document, in the form and manner required by the attorney general, whether the agency requested a forensic medical examination; to provide the documentation of the agency's decision regarding a request for a forensic medical examination to certain parties; and to maintain the documentation of the agency's decision in accordance with the agency's record retention policies.

Methodology

According to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the bill would result in an increase in forensic medical examinations in sexual assault investigations, which would create significant fiscal implication to the Crime Victims' Compensation (CVC) Program because of that program's obligations under current law. The possible increased burden on the CVC fund would necessitate two FTEs at the Accountant II paygrade to accommodate the increased workload.

The OAG also anticipates the bill having an impact on three areas related to sexual assault examination reimbursements within the CVC Program: Sexual Assault Exam Reimbursements (SAER), Emergency Medical Care (EMC), and CVC claims.

According to the OAG, the changes proposed by the bill will result in an anticipated increase in the number of exams conducted and the subsequent SAER applications. The CVC Program processes an average of 10,781 SAER applications per year with an average $740 payment. OAG estimates that an additional 10 percent will be received during the first year, an additional 5 percent will be received during the second year, and an additional 2 percent increase in years three to five.

The bill potentially increases the number of EMC exams that may be conducted. Victims may apply for reimbursement for the cost of medical care associated with the sexual assault exam without meeting all the CVC eligibility requirements. The average payment for EMC applications is $1,109 per application and OAG estimates that with the 10 percent increase in SAER CVC will receive a corresponding 3 percent increase in corresponding EMC applications submitted by victims, as CVC does not receive EMC applications for every SAER submitted. This would lead to an additional 33 EMC applications during the first year, and a 2 percent increase in years two to five. OAG anticipates a 2 percent increase per year in the average payment starting in the second year. 

Each year, the CVC Program receives an average 5,630 victim compensation applications per year from victims of sexual assault and other related crimes, or 52 percent of the SAER applications average. On average, 67 percent of applications received are approved and 43 percent of those on average receive a payment. The average payment for a CVC claim in fiscal year 2020 was $5,433. OAG expects a 2 percent increase in payments in years two to five.

Technology

The OAG anticipates technology costs of $15,040 in fiscal year 2022 and $6,660 in each of the subsequent four fiscal years for one-time purchases and recurring services for the additional FTEs. 

Local Government Impact

The Lubbock County Sheriff does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact. No significant fiscal implication to other units of local government is anticipated.