By: Paxton, et al. S.B. No. 1573
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the reporting of sexual assault and other sex offenses
  and to the collection, analysis, tracking, and preservation of
  evidence of those offenses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Articles 21.31(a), (c), and (d), Code of
  Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person who is indicted for or who waives indictment
  for an offense under Section 21.02, 21.11(a)(1), 22.011, or 22.021,
  Penal Code, shall, at the direction of the court on the court's own
  motion or on the request of the victim of the reported [alleged]
  offense, undergo a standard diagnostic test approved by the United
  States Food and Drug Administration for human immunodeficiency
  virus (HIV) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. If
  the person refuses to submit voluntarily to the test, the court
  shall require the person to submit to the test. On request of the
  victim of the reported [alleged] offense, the court shall order the
  defendant to undergo the test not later than 48 hours after an
  indictment for the offense is presented against the defendant or
  the defendant waives indictment. Except as provided by Subsection
  (b-1), the court may require a defendant previously required under
  this article to undergo a diagnostic test on indictment for an
  offense to undergo a subsequent test only after conviction of the
  offense. A person performing a test under this subsection shall
  make the test results available to the local health authority, and
  the local health authority shall be required to make the
  notification of the test results to the victim of the reported
  [alleged] offense and to the defendant.
         (c)  The state may not use the fact that a test was performed
  on a person under Subsection (a) or use the results of a test
  conducted under Subsection (a) in any criminal proceeding arising
  out of the reported [alleged] offense.
         (d)  Testing under this article shall be conducted in
  accordance with written infectious disease control protocols
  adopted by the Texas Board of Health that clearly establish
  procedural guidelines that provide criteria for testing and that
  respect the rights of the person accused and any victim of the
  reported [alleged] offense.
         SECTION 2.  Article 38.07, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Art. 38.07.  TESTIMONY IN CORROBORATION OF VICTIM OF SEXUAL
  OFFENSE. (a) A conviction under Chapter 21, Section 20A.02(a)(3),
  (4), (7), or (8), Section 22.011, or Section 22.021, Penal Code, is
  supportable on the uncorroborated testimony of the victim of the
  sexual offense if the victim informed any person, other than the
  defendant, of the reported [alleged] offense within one year after
  the date on which the reported incident [offense is alleged to have]
  occurred.
         (b)  The requirement that the victim inform another person of
  an [alleged] offense as described by Subsection (a) does not apply
  if at the time of the [alleged] offense the victim was a person:
               (1)  17 years of age or younger;
               (2)  65 years of age or older; or
               (3)  18 years of age or older who by reason of age or
  physical or mental disease, defect, or injury was substantially
  unable to satisfy the person's need for food, shelter, medical
  care, or protection from harm.
         SECTION 3.  Article 56A.051(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a
  deceased victim is entitled to the following rights within the
  criminal justice system:
               (1)  the right to receive from a law enforcement agency
  adequate protection from harm and threats of harm arising from
  cooperation with prosecution efforts;
               (2)  the right to have the magistrate consider the
  safety of the victim or the victim's family in setting the amount of
  bail for the defendant;
               (3)  if requested, the right to be informed:
                     (A)  by the attorney representing the state of
  relevant court proceedings, including appellate proceedings, and
  to be informed if those proceedings have been canceled or
  rescheduled before the event; and
                     (B)  by an appellate court of the court's
  decisions, after the decisions are entered but before the decisions
  are made public;
               (4)  when requested, the right to be informed:
                     (A)  by a peace officer concerning the defendant's
  right to bail and the procedures in criminal investigations; and
                     (B)  by the office of the attorney representing
  the state concerning the general procedures in the criminal justice
  system, including general procedures in guilty plea negotiations
  and arrangements, restitution, and the appeals and parole process;
               (5)  the right to provide pertinent information to a
  community supervision and corrections department conducting a
  presentencing investigation concerning the impact of the offense on
  the victim and the victim's family by testimony, written statement,
  or any other manner before any sentencing of the defendant;
               (6)  the right to receive information regarding
  compensation to victims of crime as provided by Chapter 56B,
  including information related to the costs that may be compensated
  under that chapter and the amount of compensation, eligibility for
  compensation, and procedures for application for compensation
  under that chapter, the payment for a forensic medical examination
  under Article 56A.252 for a victim of a reported [an alleged] sexual
  assault, and when requested, to referral to available social
  service agencies that may offer additional assistance;
               (7)  the right to:
                     (A)  be informed, on request, of parole
  procedures;
                     (B)  participate in the parole process;
                     (C)  provide to the board for inclusion in the
  defendant's file information to be considered by the board before
  the parole of any defendant convicted of any offense subject to this
  chapter; and
                     (D)  be notified, if requested, of parole
  proceedings concerning a defendant in the victim's case and of the
  defendant's release;
               (8)  the right to be provided with a waiting area,
  separate or secure from other witnesses, including the defendant
  and relatives of the defendant, before testifying in any proceeding
  concerning the defendant; if a separate waiting area is not
  available, other safeguards should be taken to minimize the
  victim's contact with the defendant and the defendant's relatives
  and witnesses, before and during court proceedings;
               (9)  the right to the prompt return of any of the
  victim's property that is held by a law enforcement agency or the
  attorney representing the state as evidence when the property is no
  longer required for that purpose;
               (10)  the right to have the attorney representing the
  state notify the victim's employer, if requested, that the victim's
  cooperation and testimony is necessary in a proceeding that may
  require the victim to be absent from work for good cause;
               (11)  the right to request victim-offender mediation
  coordinated by the victim services division of the department;
               (12)  the right to be informed of the uses of a victim
  impact statement and the statement's purpose in the criminal
  justice system as described by Subchapter D, to complete the victim
  impact statement, and to have the victim impact statement
  considered:
                     (A)  by the attorney representing the state and
  the judge before sentencing or before a plea bargain agreement is
  accepted; and
                     (B)  by the board before a defendant is released
  on parole;
               (13)  for a victim of an assault or sexual assault who
  is younger than 17 years of age or whose case involves family
  violence, as defined by Section 71.004, Family Code, the right to
  have the court consider the impact on the victim of a continuance
  requested by the defendant; if requested by the attorney
  representing the state or by the defendant's attorney, the court
  shall state on the record the reason for granting or denying the
  continuance; and
               (14)  if the offense is a capital felony, the right to:
                     (A)  receive by mail from the court a written
  explanation of defense-initiated victim outreach if the court has
  authorized expenditures for a defense-initiated victim outreach
  specialist;
                     (B)  not be contacted by the victim outreach
  specialist unless the victim, guardian, or relative has consented
  to the contact by providing a written notice to the court; and
                     (C)  designate a victim service provider to
  receive all communications from a victim outreach specialist acting
  on behalf of any person.
         SECTION 4.  Article 56A.251, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to conform to Section 3, Chapter 1037 (H.B. 616), Acts of
  the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, and is further amended
  to read as follows:
         Art. 56A.251.  REQUEST FOR FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION.
  (a) If [Except as provided by Subsection (b), if] a sexual assault
  is reported to a law enforcement agency within 120 [96] hours after
  the assault, the law enforcement agency, with the consent of the
  victim of the reported [alleged] assault, a person authorized to
  act on behalf of the victim, or an employee of the Department of
  Family and Protective Services, shall request a forensic medical
  examination of the victim for use in the investigation or
  prosecution of the offense.
         (b)  If a sexual assault is not reported within the period
  described by Subsection (a) and the victim is a minor as defined by
  Section 101.003, Family Code, on receiving the consent described by
  Subsection (a) or the consent described by Section 32.003 or
  32.005, Family Code, a law enforcement agency shall request a
  forensic medical examination of the victim for use in the
  investigation or prosecution of the offense [A law enforcement
  agency may decline to request a forensic medical examination under
  Subsection (a) only if:
         [(1)  the person reporting the sexual assault has made one or
  more false reports of sexual assault to any law enforcement agency;
  and
         [(2)  there is no other evidence to corroborate the current
  allegations of sexual assault].
         (c)  If a sexual assault is not reported within the period
  described by Subsection (a) and the victim is not a minor as defined
  by Section 101.003, Family Code, on receiving the consent described
  by Subsection (a), [that subsection] a law enforcement agency may
  request a forensic medical examination of a victim of a reported [an
  alleged] sexual assault for use in the investigation or prosecution
  of the offense if:
               (1)  based on the circumstances of the reported
  assault, the agency believes a forensic medical examination would
  further that investigation or prosecution; or
               (2)  after a medical evaluation by a physician, sexual
  assault examiner, or sexual assault nurse examiner, the physician
  or examiner notifies the agency that a forensic medical examination
  should be conducted [as considered appropriate by the agency].
         (d)  If a sexual assault is reported to a law enforcement
  agency as provided by Subsection (a), (b), or (c), the law
  enforcement agency shall document, in the form and manner required
  by the attorney general, whether the agency requested a forensic
  medical examination. The law enforcement agency shall:
               (1)  provide the documentation of the agency's decision
  regarding a request for a forensic medical examination to:
                     (A)  the health care facility and the physician,
  sexual assault examiner, or sexual assault nurse examiner, as
  applicable, who provides services to the victim that are related to
  the sexual assault; and
                     (B)  the victim or the person who consented to the
  forensic medical examination on behalf of the victim; and
               (2)  maintain the documentation of the agency's
  decision in accordance with the agency's record retention policies.
         SECTION 5.  Article 56A.303, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to conform to Section 4, Chapter 1037 (H.B. 616), Acts of
  the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, and is further amended
  to read as follows:
         Art. 56A.303.  FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION. (a) In
  accordance with Subchapter B, Chapter 420, Government Code, and
  except as provided by Subsection (b), a health care facility shall
  conduct a forensic medical examination of a victim of a [an alleged]
  sexual assault if:
               (1)  the victim arrives at the facility within 120 [96]
  hours after the assault occurred;
               (2)  the victim consents to the examination; and
               (3)  at the time of the examination the victim has not
  reported the assault to a law enforcement agency.
         (b)  If a health care facility does not provide diagnosis or
  treatment services to victims of sexual assault, the facility shall
  refer a victim of a [an alleged] sexual assault who seeks a forensic
  medical examination under Subsection (a) to a health care facility
  that provides services to those victims.
         (c)  A victim of a [an alleged] sexual assault may not be
  required to participate in the investigation or prosecution of an
  offense as a condition of receiving a forensic medical examination
  under this article.
         SECTION 6.  (a) Articles 56A.304(a) and (c), Code of
  Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department shall pay the appropriate fees, as set by
  attorney general rule, for the forensic portion of a forensic
  medical examination conducted under Article 56A.303(a) and for the
  evidence collection kit if a physician, sexual assault examiner, or
  sexual assault nurse examiner conducts the forensic portion of the
  examination within 120 [96] hours after the [alleged] sexual
  assault occurred.
         (b)  A victim of a [an alleged] sexual assault may not be
  required to pay for:
               (1)  the forensic portion of the forensic medical
  examination; or
               (2)  the evidence collection kit.
         (c)  It is the intent of the 87th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2021, that the amendments made by this section be
  harmonized with another Act of the 87th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2021, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and
  corrections in enacted codes.
         SECTION 7.  Article 56A.307, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Art. 56A.307.  PROCEDURES FOR SUBMISSION OR COLLECTION OF
  ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE. The department, consistent with Chapter 420,
  Government Code, may develop procedures regarding the submission or
  collection of additional evidence of a [an alleged] sexual assault
  other than through a forensic medical examination as described by
  Article 56A.303(a).
         SECTION 8.  Article 56A.351(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Before conducting a forensic medical examination of a
  victim who consents to the examination for the collection of
  evidence for a [an alleged] sexual assault, the physician or other
  medical services personnel conducting the examination shall offer
  the victim the opportunity to have an advocate from a sexual assault
  program as defined by Section 420.003, Government Code, be present
  with the victim during the examination, if the advocate is
  available at the time of the examination. The advocate must have
  completed a sexual assault training program described by Section
  420.011(b), Government Code.
         SECTION 9.  Article 56A.352(b), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  If a victim reporting [alleging] to have sustained
  injuries as the victim of a sexual assault was confined in a penal
  institution at the time of the reported [alleged] assault, the
  penal institution shall provide, at the victim's request, a
  representative to be present with the victim at any forensic
  medical examination conducted for the purpose of collecting and
  preserving evidence related to the investigation or prosecution of
  the reported [alleged] assault. The representative must:
               (1)  be approved by the penal institution; and
               (2)  be a:
                     (A)  psychologist;
                     (B)  sociologist;
                     (C)  chaplain;
                     (D)  social worker;
                     (E)  case manager; or
                     (F)  volunteer who has completed a sexual assault
  training program described by Section 420.011(b), Government Code.
         SECTION 10.  Article 56A.401, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Art. 56A.401.  NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS. At the initial
  contact or at the earliest possible time after the initial contact
  between a victim of a reported offense and the law enforcement
  agency having the responsibility for investigating the offense, the
  agency shall provide the victim a written notice containing:
               (1)  information about the availability of emergency
  and medical services, if applicable;
               (2)  information about the rights of crime victims
  under Subchapter B;
               (3)  notice that the victim has the right to receive
  information regarding compensation to victims of crime as provided
  by Chapter 56B, including information about:
                     (A)  the costs that may be compensated under that
  chapter and the amount of compensation, eligibility for
  compensation, and procedures for application for compensation
  under that chapter;
                     (B)  the payment for a forensic medical
  examination under Article 56A.252 for a victim of a reported [an
  alleged] sexual assault; and
                     (C)  referral to available social service
  agencies that may offer additional assistance;
               (4)  the name, address, and phone number of the law
  enforcement agency's crime victim liaison;
               (5)  the name, address, and phone number of the victim
  assistance coordinator of the office of the attorney representing
  the state; and
               (6)  the following statement:
         "You may call the law enforcement agency's telephone number
  for the status of the case and information about victims' rights."
         SECTION 11.  Article 56A.451(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Not later than the 10th day after the date that an
  indictment or information is returned against a defendant for an
  offense, the attorney representing the state shall give to each
  victim of the offense a written notice containing:
               (1)  the case number and assigned court for the case;
               (2)  a brief general statement of each procedural stage
  in the processing of a criminal case, including bail, plea
  bargaining, parole restitution, and appeal;
               (3)  suggested steps the victim may take if the victim
  is subjected to threats or intimidation;
               (4)  the name, address, and phone number of the local
  victim assistance coordinator; and
               (5)  notification of:
                     (A)  the rights and procedures under this chapter,
  Chapter 56B, and Subchapter B, Chapter 58;
                     (B)  the right to file a victim impact statement
  with the office of the attorney representing the state and the
  department;
                     (C)  the right to receive information regarding
  compensation to victims of crime as provided by Chapter 56B,
  including information about:
                           (i)  the costs that may be compensated under
  that chapter, eligibility for compensation, and procedures for
  application for compensation under that chapter;
                           (ii)  the payment for a forensic medical
  examination under Article 56A.252 for a victim of a reported [an
  alleged] sexual assault; and
                           (iii)  referral to available social service
  agencies that may offer additional assistance; and
                     (D)  the right of a victim, guardian of a victim,
  or close relative of a deceased victim, as defined by Section
  508.117, Government Code, to appear in person before a member of the
  board as provided by Section 508.153, Government Code.
         SECTION 12.  Section 420.032(a)(3), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (3)  "Photo documentation" means video or photographs
  of a child [alleged to be the] victim of a sexual assault that are
  taken with a colposcope or other magnifying camera during the
  forensic portion of a medical examination of the child.
         SECTION 13.  Sections 420.032(b) and (e), Government Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  In a county with a population of three million or more,
  the forensic portion of a medical examination of a child [alleged to
  be the] victim of a sexual assault must include the production of
  photo documentation unless the medical professional examining the
  child determines that good cause for refraining from producing
  photo documentation exists.
         (e)  The fact that the medical professional examining the
  child did not produce photo documentation in the forensic portion
  of a medical examination of a child [alleged to be the] victim of a
  sexual assault and the reasons behind the lack of photo
  documentation are admissible at the trial of the [alleged] sexual
  assault, but the lack of photo documentation will not affect the
  admissibility of other evidence in the case.
         SECTION 14.  Sections 420.034(a) and (c), Government Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  For purposes of this section, "evidence" means evidence
  collected during the investigation of a [an alleged] sexual assault
  or other sex offense, including:
               (1)  evidence from an evidence collection kit used to
  collect and preserve evidence of a sexual assault or other sex
  offense; and
               (2)  other biological evidence of a sexual assault or
  other sex offense.
         (c)  The tracking system must:
               (1)  include all evidence collected in relation to a
  sexual assault or other sex offense, regardless of whether evidence
  of the offense is collected in relation to an individual who is
  alive or deceased;
               (2)  track the location and status of each item of
  evidence through the criminal justice process, including the
  initial collection of the item of evidence in a forensic medical
  examination, receipt and storage of the item of evidence at a law
  enforcement agency, receipt and analysis of the item of evidence at
  an accredited crime laboratory, and storage and destruction of the
  item of evidence after the item is analyzed;
               (3) [(2)]  allow a facility or entity performing a
  forensic medical examination of a survivor, law enforcement agency,
  accredited crime laboratory, prosecutor, or other entity providing
  a chain of custody for an item of evidence to update and track the
  status and location of the item; and
               (4) [(3)]  allow a survivor to anonymously track or
  receive updates regarding the status and location of each item of
  evidence collected in relation to the offense.
         SECTION 15.  Section 420.045, Government Code, is
  transferred to Section 420.034, Government Code, redesignated as
  Subsection (h) of that section, and amended to read as follows:
         (h)  Not later than December 1 of each year, the department
  [Sec. 420.045. REPORT OF UNANALYZED EVIDENCE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR
  OTHER SEX OFFENSE. Each law enforcement agency and public
  accredited crime laboratory] shall submit a [quarterly] report to
  the governor and members of the legislature [department]
  identifying the number of sexual assault evidence collection kits
  that have [the law enforcement agency has] not yet been submitted
  for laboratory analysis or for which the [crime] laboratory
  analysis has not yet been completed [an analysis], as applicable.
  The report must be titled "Statewide Electronic Tracking System
  Report".
         SECTION 16.  Section 420.035(a), Government Code, as added
  by Chapter 408 (H.B. 8), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2019, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  If a health care facility or other entity that performs
  a medical examination to collect evidence of a sexual assault or
  other sex offense receives signed, written consent to release the
  evidence as provided by Section 420.0735, the facility or entity
  shall:
               (1)  promptly notify any law enforcement agency
  investigating the [alleged] offense; and
               (2)  not later than 24 hours after the conclusion of the
  examination, enter the identification number of the evidence
  collection kit into the statewide electronic tracking system under
  Section 420.034.
         SECTION 17.  Section 420.046, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 420.046.  NONCOMPLIANCE. Failure to comply with the
  requirements of Subchapter B or this subchapter may be used to
  determine eligibility for receiving grant funds from the
  department, the office of the governor, or another state agency.
         SECTION 18.  The heading to Chapter 323, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         CHAPTER 323. EMERGENCY SERVICES AND FORENSIC EXAMINATION
  PROGRAMS FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
         SECTION 19.  Chapter 323, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by designating Sections 323.001 through 323.008 as Subchapter A and
  adding a subchapter heading to read as follows:
         SUBCHAPTER A. EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL
  ASSAULT
         SECTION 20.  Section 323.004(a), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (a-2), after
  a sexual assault survivor arrives at a health care facility
  following a [an alleged] sexual assault, the facility shall provide
  care to the survivor in accordance with Subsection (b).
         SECTION 21.  Chapter 323, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
         SUBCHAPTER B. SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINATION PROGRAMS
         Sec. 323.051.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Health facility" means a health facility licensed
  under Subtitle B, Title 4.
               (2)  "Physician" means a physician licensed under
  Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code.
               (3)  "SAFE program" means a program that meets the
  requirements prescribed by Section 323.052.
               (4)  "SAFE-ready facility" means a health care facility
  designated as a sexual assault forensic exam-ready facility under
  Section 323.0015 or a SAFE program, as defined by Section
  323.101(3) and designated under Section 323.102. 
               (5)  "Sexual assault examiner," "sexual assault nurse
  examiner," and "sexual assault program" have the meanings assigned
  by Section 420.003, Government Code.
         Sec. 323.052.  OPERATION OF SAFE PROGRAM; DESIGNATION OF
  SAFE PROGRAM AS SAFE-READY FACILITY. (a) A health facility may
  operate a SAFE program only if:
               (1)  the program meets the minimum standards
  established under Section 323.053; and
               (2)  the facility provides forensic medical
  examinations to sexual assault survivors in accordance with Section
  323.054.
         (b)  The Health and Human Services Commission shall
  designate a health facility operating a SAFE program described by
  Subsection (a) as a SAFE-ready facility if the facility notifies
  the commission that the facility employs or contracts with a sexual
  assault forensic examiner or uses a telemedicine system of sexual
  assault forensic examiners to provide consultation to a licensed
  nurse or physician during a sexual assault forensic medical
  examination.
         Sec. 323.053.  MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR SAFE PROGRAMS. A SAFE
  program must:
               (1)  operate under the active oversight of a medical
  director who is a physician in good standing with the Texas Medical
  Board;
               (2)  provide medical treatment under a physician's
  order, standing medical order, standing delegation order, or other
  order or protocol as defined by Texas Medical Board rules;
               (3)  employ or contract with a sexual assault examiner
  or a sexual assault nurse examiner;
               (4)  provide access to a sexual assault program
  advocate, as required by Subchapter H, Chapter 56A, Code of
  Criminal Procedure;
               (5)  ensure a sexual assault survivor has access to a
  private treatment room;
               (6)  if indicated by a survivor's history or on a
  survivor's request, provide:
                     (A)  HIV testing and prophylactic medication to
  the survivor or a referral for the testing and medication; and
                     (B)  counseling and prophylactic medications for
  exposure to sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy;
               (7)  provide to survivors the name and telephone number
  of the nearest sexual assault program that provides to survivors
  the minimum services described by Subchapter A, Chapter 420,
  Government Code;
               (8)  provide to survivors the information form required
  by Section 323.005 or 323.0052, as applicable;
               (9)  collaborate with any sexual assault program that
  provides services to survivors in the county;
               (10)  continually engage in efforts to improve the
  quality of the program;
               (11)  maintain capacity for immediate triage or have
  agreements with other health facilities to assure that a survivor
  receives the appropriate level of care indicated for the survivor's
  medical and mental health needs;
               (12)  prioritize the safety and well-being of
  survivors;
               (13)  provide a trauma-informed approach in the
  forensic medical care provided to survivors; and
               (14)  collaborate with:
                     (A)  law enforcement agencies and attorneys
  representing the state with jurisdiction in the county;
                     (B)  any available local sexual assault response
  team; and
                     (C)  other interested persons in the community.
         Sec. 323.054.  FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION BY SAFE PROGRAM;
  INFORMED CONSENT. (a) A SAFE program shall provide to a sexual
  assault survivor under the care of the program a forensic medical
  examination in accordance with Subchapter B, Chapter 420,
  Government Code, if the examination has been requested by a law
  enforcement agency under Subchapter F, Chapter 56A, Code of
  Criminal Procedure, or if the examination is performed in
  accordance with Subchapter G, Chapter 56A, Code of Criminal
  Procedure.
         (b)  Only a sexual assault examiner or a sexual assault nurse
  examiner may perform a forensic medical examination under a SAFE
  program.
         (c)  A sexual assault examiner or sexual assault nurse
  examiner employed by or under contract with a SAFE program must
  obtain a sexual assault survivor's informed, written consent before
  performing a forensic medical examination or providing medical
  treatment to the survivor.
         (d)  A sexual assault survivor who receives a forensic
  medical examination from a sexual assault examiner or sexual
  assault nurse examiner employed by or under contract with a SAFE
  program may not be required to:
               (1)  participate in the investigation or prosecution of
  an offense as a prerequisite to receiving the forensic medical
  examination or medical treatment; or
               (2)  pay for the costs of the forensic portion of the
  forensic medical examination or for the evidence collection kit.
         SECTION 22.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act, to the
  extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the
  87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, relating to
  nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes.
         SECTION 23.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to sexual assault evidence and evidence of other sex offenses
  collected on or after the effective date of this Act. Evidence
  collected before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
  law in effect on the date the evidence was collected, and the former
  law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 24.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.