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House Bill 2706 |
House Author: Howard et al. |
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Effective: 9-1-21 |
Senate Sponsor: Nelson et al. |
House Bill 2706 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure, Government Code, and Health and Safety Code to set out provisions relating to the emergency services and care provided to victims of sexual assault and other sex offenses and to the processes of preserving and analyzing the evidence of those offenses. The bill provides for the operation of and minimum standards for Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) programs that provide examinations to sexual assault survivors and makes the programs eligible to receive payment of costs and reimbursements from the attorney general for certain services and care rendered to survivors. Among other provisions, the bill prohibits the use of evidence collected during a forensic medical examination performed on sexual assault victims to investigate or prosecute a misdemeanor or controlled substance offense alleged to have been committed by the victim.
House Bill 2706 transfers the duty to develop certain information forms for sexual assault survivors and certain data collection and publication duties regarding SAFE‑ready facilities from the Department of State Health Services to the Health and Human Services Commission and revises certain requirements relating to the forms and published information.