Title 32.1. Health
Chapter 5. Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services
Article 8. Services for Sexual Assault Patients.
§ 32.1-162.15:2. Definitions.As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Anonymous physical evidence recovery kit" has the same meaning as in § 19.2-11.5.
"Approved pediatric health care facility" means a pediatric health care facility for which a plan for the delivery of services to pediatric sexual assault patients has been approved pursuant to § 32.1-162.15:6.
"Board" means the Board of Health.
"Department" means the Department of Health.
"Emergency contraception" means medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual assault.
"Follow-up health care" means any physical examination, laboratory tests to determine the presence of sexually transmitted infection, or appropriate medications, including HIV-prophylaxis, provided to a sexual assault patient by a health care provider within 90 days after the date on which treatment or transfer services pursuant to this article are first provided.
"Health care facility" means an outpatient surgical hospital or other facility that is licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services and does not meet the definition of hospital or pediatric health care facility in this section.
"Hospital" means any inpatient hospital licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter or an inpatient hospital owned or operated by an agency of the Commonwealth that is not a long term care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, or psychiatric hospital.
"Medical forensic examination" means an examination of a sexual assault patient by a health care provider. A "medical forensic examination" may include gathering information from the patient for such patient's medical forensic history; conducting an examination; coordinating treatment of injuries, documenting biological and physical findings, and collecting evidence from the patient in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 1.2 (§ 19.2-11.5 et seq.) of Title 19.2; and providing information, treatment, and referrals to community-based services.
"Pediatric health care facility" means an inpatient hospital licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services to pediatric patients.
"Pediatric sexual assault patient" means a sexual assault patient who is under 18 years of age.
"Physical evidence recovery kit" has the same meaning as in § 19.2-11.5.
"Sexual assault forensic examiner" means a sexual assault nurse examiner, a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a registered nurse who has completed training that meets or is substantially similar to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines established by the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
"Sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization services" means an appropriate medical screening and such stabilizing treatment in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1395dd, as may be necessary prior to the transfer of a sexual assault patient from a transfer hospital to a treatment hospital.
"Sexual assault patient treatment services" means health care services provided to a sexual assault patient by a hospital in accordance with § 32.1-162.15:4 or pediatric health care facility in accordance with § 32.1-162.15:6.
"Transfer hospital" means a hospital with a sexual assault patient transfer plan approved by the Department.
"Transportation service" means transportation provided to a sexual assault patient who is transferred from a transfer hospital, treatment hospital, or approved pediatric health care facility to a treatment hospital or approved pediatric care facility pursuant to a transfer plan approved in accordance with this article.
"Treatment hospital" means a hospital with a sexual assault patient treatment plan approved by the Department to provide sexual assault patient treatment services to all sexual assault patients who present with a complaint of sexual assault within the previous seven days or who have disclosed past sexual assault by a specific individual and were in the care of that individual within the previous seven days.
2020, c. 725; 2023, c. 183; 2025, cc. 480, 491.
§ 32.1-162.15:3. Services for sexual assault patients; plan required.A. Every health care facility shall provide written information about local or statewide sexual and domestic violence advocacy services. Such information shall be readily available to adult and pediatric patients.
B. Every hospital shall develop and, upon approval by the Department, implement a plan to provide either sexual assault patient treatment services or sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization services for sexual assault patients.
C. Sexual assault patient treatment plans shall include provisions for (i) the delivery of services described in § 32.1-162.15:4 and (ii) the storage, retention, and dissemination of photographic evidence in accordance with § 32.1-162.15:8.
D. Sexual assault patient transfer service plans shall include (i) provisions for the delivery of services described in § 32.1-162.15:5 and (ii) the written agreement of a treatment hospital to accept transfer of sexual assault patients.
E. A treatment hospital for which a plan has been approved pursuant to subsection C or a transfer hospital for which a plan has been approved pursuant to subsection D may enter into an agreement for the transfer of pediatric sexual assault patients from the treatment hospital or transfer hospital to an approved pediatric health care facility pursuant to a pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plan. Such plan shall include (i) provisions for the delivery of services described in § 32.1-162.15:6 and (ii) the written agreement of an approved pediatric health care facility to accept transfer of sexual assault patients.
F. Sexual assault patient treatment plans, sexual assault patient transfer plans, and pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plans shall be submitted in a form and in accordance with procedures specified by the Board. The Department shall approve or deny such plans, in writing, within 30 days of receipt of such plans. If the Department denies a plan submitted pursuant to this section, the Department shall provide the hospital with a written statement setting forth the reasons for such denial.
2020, c. 725; 2025, cc. 480, 491.
§ 32.1-162.15:4. Treatment services.A. The Board shall adopt regulations to establish standards for review and approval of sexual assault patient treatment plans, which shall include provisions for the following services, when ordered by a health care provider and with the consent of the sexual assault patient:
1. Appropriate medical forensic examination;
2. Appropriate oral and written information concerning the possibility of infection or sexually transmitted disease, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) resulting from the sexual assault, accepted medical procedures and medications for the prevention or treatment of such infection or sexually transmitted disease, and the indications, contraindications, and potential risks of such medical procedures or medications;
3. Appropriate evaluations to determine the sexual assault patient's risk of infection or sexually transmitted disease, including HIV, resulting from the sexual assault;
4. Appropriate oral and written information regarding the possibility of pregnancy resulting from the sexual assault and medically and factually accurate oral and written information about emergency contraception, the indications and contraindications and potential risks associated with the use of emergency contraception, and the availability of emergency contraception for sexual assault patients;
5. Prescriptions of such medications as may be appropriate for treatment of the sexual assault patient both during treatment at the hospital and upon discharge, including, in cases in which prophylactic treatment for infection with HIV is deemed appropriate, an initial dose or all required doses of HIV prophylaxis;
6. Oral and written information regarding the need for follow-up care, including examinations and laboratory tests to determine the presence or absence of sexually transmitted infection or disease and follow-up care related to HIV prophylaxis;
7. Policies and procedures for referral and connection to hospital-based, community-based, or statewide advocacy services for sexual assault patients and their families when available; and
8. Referral for appropriate counseling and other support services based on availability of services.
B. All appropriate sexual assault patient treatment services shall be provided without delay in a private location and in an age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate manner.
C. Medical forensic examinations provided pursuant to a sexual assault patient treatment plan approved by the Board shall include an offer to complete a physical evidence recovery kit. Every treatment hospital for which a sexual assault patient treatment plan has been approved by the Department shall report to the Department by December 1 of each year:
1. The total number of patients to whom a medical forensic examination was provided; and
2. The total number of physical evidence recovery kits offered and completed.
D. Every treatment hospital shall adopt procedures to ensure compliance with mandatory reporting requirements pursuant to §§ 63.2-1509 and 63.2-1606.
Records of services provided to sexual assault patients, including the results of any examination or laboratory test conducted pursuant to subsection A, shall be maintained by the treatment hospital and made available to law enforcement upon request of the sexual assault patient. Records of services provided to sexual assault patients 18 years of age and older shall be maintained by the hospital for a period of 20 years from the date the record was created. Records of services provided to sexual assault patients under 18 years of age shall be maintained for a period of 20 years after the date on which the sexual assault patient reaches 18 years of age.
E. Every treatment hospital, including every treatment hospital with an approved pediatric sexual assault patient plan, shall include in its sexual assault patient treatment plan provisions requiring appropriate health care providers who provide services in the hospital's emergency department to annually complete training developed and made available by the Department on the topic of sexual assault, detection of sexual assault, provision of services for sexual assault patients, and collection of evidence in cases involving alleged sexual assault. Such training shall be consistent with best practices outlined by the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
2020, c. 725; 2025, cc. 480, 491.
§ 32.1-162.15:5. Transfer services.The Board shall adopt regulations to establish standards for review and approval of sexual assault patient transfer plans and pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plans, which shall include provisions for the following services, when ordered by a health care provider and with the consent of the sexual assault patient:
1. Appropriate medical examination and such stabilizing treatment as may be necessary prior to the transfer of a sexual assault patient from the transfer hospital to a treatment hospital;
2. Medically and factually accurate written and oral information about emergency contraception, the indications and contraindications and potential risks associated with the use of emergency contraception, and the availability of emergency contraception for sexual assault patients; and
3. Prompt transfer of the sexual assault patient to a treatment hospital or approved pediatric health care facility, as may be appropriate, including provisions necessary to ensure that transfer of the sexual assault patient or pediatric sexual assault patient would not unduly burden the sexual assault patient or pediatric sexual assault patient.
2020, c. 725; 2022, c. 520; 2025, cc. 480, 491.
§ 32.1-162.15:6. Services for pediatric sexual assault patients; plan required.A. A pediatric health care facility may provide treatment services or transfer and stabilization services to pediatric sexual assault patients in accordance with a pediatric sexual assault patient treatment plan or pediatric sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization plan approved by the Department. No pediatric health care facility shall provide pediatric sexual assault treatment or transfer and stabilization services to a pediatric sexual assault patient unless a pediatric sexual assault patient treatment plan for the pediatric health care facility has been approved by the Department.
B. A pediatric health care facility wishing to provide pediatric sexual assault patient treatment services shall submit a pediatric sexual assault patient treatment plan to the Department. The Board shall adopt regulations to establish standards for the review and approval of pediatric sexual assault patient treatment plans, which shall include provisions for the delivery of treatment services described in § 32.1-162.15:4.
In cases in which the pediatric health care facility is not able to provide the full range of treatment services required by § 32.1-162.15:4, the plan shall include (i) the specific treatment services that the pediatric health care facility will provide for pediatric sexual assault patients; (ii) provisions for transfer services required by § 32.1-162.15:5 for pediatric sexual assault patients for whom treatment services are not provided by the pediatric health care facility; (iii) the written agreement of a treatment hospital to accept transfer of pediatric sexual assault patients for whom treatment services are not provided by the pediatric health care facility; and (iv) if the pediatric health care facility does not provide services 24 hours per day, seven days per week, provisions to inform the public regarding the need to seek an alternative source of treatment, including emergency medical services, which may include requirements for appropriate signage.
C. A pediatric health care facility wishing to provide pediatric sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization services shall submit a pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plan to the Department. The Board shall adopt regulations to establish standards for review and approval of pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plans, which shall include provisions for (i) the delivery of sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization services in accordance with the requirements of § 32.1-162.15:5 and (ii) the written agreement of a treatment hospital to accept transfer of pediatric sexual assault patients.
D. Pediatric sexual assault patient treatment plans and pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plans shall be submitted in a form and in accordance with procedures specified by the Board. The Department shall approve or deny such plans, in writing, within 30 days of receipt of such plans. If the Department denies a plan submitted pursuant to this section, the Department shall provide the hospital with a written statement setting forth the reasons for such denial.
2020, c. 725; 2025, cc. 480, 491.
§ 32.1-162.15:7. Inspections; report required.A. The Department shall periodically conduct such inspections of hospitals licensed by the Department as may be necessary to ensure that sexual assault patient treatment plans, sexual assault patient transfer plans, and pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plans are implemented in accordance with the requirements of this article.
B. The Department shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1 of each year on:
1. The name of each hospital that has submitted a sexual assault patient treatment plan, sexual assault patient transfer plan, or pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plan in accordance with the requirements of this section and, for each hospital, the specific type of plan, the date on which the plan was submitted, and the date on which the plan was approved;
2. The name of each hospital that has failed to submit a sexual assault patient treatment plan, sexual assault patient transfer plan, or pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plan in accordance with the requirements of this section;
3. The name of each hospital for which an inspection was performed pursuant to subsection A and for each such hospital, the date of such inspection, and whether the hospital was found to be in compliance with the provisions of the sexual assault patient treatment plan, sexual assault patient transfer plan, or pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plan for such hospital approved by the Department; and
4. For each hospital determined to be out of compliance with the requirements of the sexual assault patient treatment plan, sexual assault patient transfer plan, or pediatric sexual assault patient transfer plan for such hospital approved by the Department, whether a plan of correction was submitted in accordance with the provisions of subsection A.
2020, c. 725; 2025, cc. 480, 491.
§ 32.1-162.15:8. Storage, retention, and dissemination of photographic documentation.Photographic documentation collected by a treatment hospital or approved pediatric health care facility shall be maintained by the treatment hospital or approved pediatric health care facility as part of the patient's forensic medical examination. In the case of an anonymous physical evidence recovery kit, photographic documentation shall be maintained by the treatment hospital or approved pediatric health care facility, but the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit shall be maintained in accordance with § 19.2-11.6.
2020, c. 725.
§ 32.1-162.15:9. Submission of evidence.Every treatment hospital and approved pediatric health care facility that provides a medical forensic examination that includes completion of a physical evidence recovery kit to a sexual assault patient who has elected to report the assault to law enforcement shall notify the law-enforcement agency with the primary responsibility for investigating an alleged sexual assault within four hours of the medical forensic examination and arrange for collection of the physical evidence recovery kit within a reasonable timeframe. A treatment hospital or approved pediatric health care facility that provides a medical forensic examination that includes completion of a physical evidence recovery kit to a sexual assault patient who elects not to report the sexual assault to law enforcement shall comply with the provisions of § 19.2-11.6 relating to anonymous physical evidence recovery kits.
2020, c. 725; 2025, cc. 480, 491.
§ 32.1-162.15:10. Complaints.The Department shall establish a process for receiving complaints regarding alleged violations of this article.
2020, c. 725.
§ 32.1-162.15:11. Repealed.Repealed by Acts 2025, cc. 480 & 491, cl. 2, effective July 1, 2025
§ 32.1-162.15:12. Virginia Forensic Nursing Advisory Council.A. The Virginia Forensic Nursing Advisory Council (the Council) is hereby established as an advisory board within the meaning of § 2.2-2100 in the executive branch of state government. The Council shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Governor. Each member shall have expertise as a sexual assault forensic examiner, as defined in § 19.2-11.5, and shall currently reside and practice in the Commonwealth. Members shall be appointed for terms of four years and shall not be eligible to serve for more than two consecutive terms.
B. The Council shall review and make recommendations as necessary to the Board with support from the Coordinator of the Virginia Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Coordination Program, established pursuant to § 9.1-191, concerning:
1. Criteria to become a sexual assault forensic examiner;
2. The process for certification as a sexual assault forensic examiner;
3. The curriculum and training program of an entity seeking approval to train sexual assault forensic examiners; and
4. Qualifications of prospective sexual assault forensic examiners.
C. The Council shall periodically, but at least annually, submit a report to the General Assembly regarding the status of sexual assault forensics in the Commonwealth, including any recommendations to improve the quality of such services throughout the Commonwealth.
