What's happening
This bill creates a pilot program for sexual assault forensic exams via telemedicine in underserved New York hospitals, with outcome reporting.
Why it matters
Expands access to expert forensic care for sexual assault victims. by connecting underserved and rural hospitals with certified sexual assault forensic examiners through telemedicine, potentially improving the quality and consistency of evidence collection and victim support in locations lacking specialized staff.
Mandates 24/7 telemedicine coverage. for participating hospitals, which may reduce wait times and ensure timely care for victims regardless of when they seek help, addressing a common gap in services in less-resourced facilities.
Prioritizes evidence preservation and legal compliance. by requiring that all medical records and forensic procedures conducted via telemedicine adhere to strict state and federal standards, which could strengthen the integrity of investigations and prosecutions.
Requires detailed evaluation and reporting. on the program’s impact, including patient care processes, outcomes, and the feasibility of a self-sustaining, subscription-based model for non-SAFE hospitals—potentially shaping future policy decisions and broader adoption if the pilot proves effective.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Telemedicine for Sexual Assault Exams
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Telemedicine for Assault Exams
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Kemp Hannon
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10408
IN ASSEMBLY
April 19, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing the sexual assault forensic examination telemedicine pilot program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2805-ii to read as follows:
§ 2805-ii. Sexual assault forensic examination telemedicine pilot program. 1. SAFE pilot establishment. The commissioner shall establish a sexual assault forensic examination (SAFE) telemedicine pilot program to assist in providing expert, comprehensive, compassionate care to adult and adolescent patients and training to support providers in health care facilities that do not have a designated sexual assault forensic examination program. The commissioner shall consult with the division of criminal justice services, where appropriate, in the establishment of such pilot program. Such SAFE telemedicine pilot shall:
(a) support patient care and provide health care provider instruction and support in a timely manner on a twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week basis to any victim of sexual assault or abuse who presents at a facility participating in such pilot for services associated with sexual assault or abuse, and consents to such services;
(b) have professionals specially trained, experienced and certified as sexual assault forensic examiners to support emergency room staff in caring for victims of sexual assault or abuse and appropriately securing forensic evidence through live audio video technology;
(c) offer to provide support through telemedicine to no less than forty-six hospitals upon the effective date of this section, including all critical access hospitals and many hospitals in rural and/or underserved areas of the state;
(d) ensure the medical records of both providers, where applicable comply with all applicable laws and regulation relating to evidence preservation; and
(e) meet any other requirements identified by the commissioner.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13688-04-8
A. 10408 2
2. SAFE pilot evaluation. The commissioner shall evaluate, or contract with an entity to evaluate, the effectiveness of such SAFE pilot program and prepare a report on the process of care, the outcomes delivered and the outcomes received. Such report shall also evaluate how such pilot can successfully transition to a self-sustaining program where non-SAFE hospitals could subscribe to a SAFE telemedicine program. Such report shall be delivered to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly by December first, two thousand twenty.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that such sexual assault forensic examination telemedicine pilot program, as added by section one of this act, shall be established by the commissioner of health no later than the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.