Relating to courts.

2025 Regular Session

GOCPP, not CICB, now pays providers for forensic sexual assault exams and related care, ensuring free services and streamlined reimbursement.

In committee upon adjournment.

SB 199 — Criminal Procedure: Sexual‑Assault Exam and Treatment Reimbursement (Chapter 90, 2025)

Status: Enacted (Approved by Governor Apr 8, 2025) — Effective date: June 1, 2025 (Chapter 90)

Summary
- SB 199 amends Maryland Criminal Procedure statutes to specify that the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) — rather than the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) — is the state entity responsible for paying health care providers and hospitals for sexual‑assault forensic exams and related treatment services provided free to victims. The bill makes conforming changes to existing statutory language.

Main intent
- Clarify and codify current administrative practice so providers seeking reimbursement for sexual‑assault exams and certain post‑assault medical services submit claims to GOCPP (which, in practice, already processes these payments through its Sexual Assault Reimbursement Unit), reducing confusion for providers and victims.

Key provisions and covered services
- Providers (physicians, qualified health‑care providers, hospitals) who perform specified services for victims of alleged rape, sexual offense, or child sexual abuse must provide those services without charge to the victim and are entitled to payment from GOCPP. Covered services include (as in existing law):
- Forensic physical/sexual assault examinations for evidence collection;
- Emergency hospital treatment and follow‑up medical testing for up to 90 days after exam;
- Up to five hours of professional time to gather evidence; and
- Sexual assault forensic exams via peer‑to‑peer telehealth.
- Under the Program for Preventing HIV Infection for Rape Victims, victims may receive a full course of post‑exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) and follow‑up care; victims may decline to provide health‑insurance or personal information, in which case care must be provided free and GOCPP reimburses the provider.
- Providers must submit written/electronic verification to GOCPP that covered services were rendered. Requests for payment may not include a narrative description of the alleged offense or photographs of the victim.

Who is affected
- Primary: victims of alleged rape, sexual offenses, or child sexual abuse (access to free exams/treatment).
- Providers and hospitals who perform sexual‑assault exams — they will seek reimbursement from GOCPP.
- GOCPP (formalizes its existing payment role); CICB references are removed/conformed.

Fiscal and administrative impact
- GOCPP reported that the bill clarifies existing practice; the Department of Legislative Services estimates no material effect on State finances. No local fiscal effect. Minimal or no impact on small businesses.

Procedural/timeline notes
- Introduced prefiled Jan 8, 2025. Passed by the General Assembly and enrolled; approved by Governor Apr 8, 2025 as Chapter 90. Statutory changes take effect June 1, 2025.