SUMMARY--Provides for defraying medical expenses of certain victims of crime. (BDR 3-273)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: Yes.
Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.
EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to victims of crime; providing for the payment or reimbursement of certain medical expenses of persons alleged to be victims of domestic violence or certain sexual offenses; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
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Section 1 Chapter 33 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:
1. If the facts alleged in an application for a temporary or extended order require corroboration by medical examination of the alleged victim, the county or city to whose court the application is made shall:
(a) Provide the examination, or arrange for it to be provided, to the alleged victim without charge; or
(b) Reimburse the alleged victim for the full expense of the examination.
2. If the county or city chooses to reimburse the alleged victim, an application for reimbursement may be made within 1 year after the expense is incurred, and reimbursement must be made within 90 days after the application is received. The county or city shall inform the alleged victim, at the time of the examination and in a language understood by the alleged victim, how to obtain reimbursement.
3. If upon the hearing, it appears that the alleged victim was not in fact a victim, the court may order repayment by the alleged victim of the expense incurred by the county or city in providing the examination or causing it to be provided, or authorize the county or city to disallow a claim by the alleged victim for reimbursement.
Sec. 2 NRS 33.017 is hereby amended to read as follows:
33.017 As used in NRS 33.017 to 33.100, inclusive, and section 1 of this act, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Extended order" means an extended order for protection against domestic violence.
2. "Temporary order" means a temporary order for protection against domestic violence.
Sec. 3 Chapter 174 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:
1. If the victim of a sexual assault or statutory sexual seduction incurs any expense not charged directly to the county in whose jurisdiction the offense was committed under NRS 449.244, for the purpose of gathering evidence for the prosecution of the offense or for emergency medical care, the county shall reimburse the victim for the expense. An application for reimbursement may be made within 1 year after the expense is incurred, and reimbursement must be made within 90 days after the application is received. The county shall inform the victim, at the time of the examination and in a language understood by the victim, how to obtain reimbursement.
2. As used in this section:
(a) "Sexual assault" means a violation of NRS 200.366.
(b) "Statutory sexual seduction" means a violation of NRS 200.368.
Sec. 4 The provisions of subsection 1 of NRS 354.599 do not apply to any additional expenses of a local government that are related to the provisions of this act.
Sec. 5 This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.