(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Sexual assault forensic examiner” means a registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378 or a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 370; and

(2) “Health care facility” means a facility (A) operated by an institution of higher education, (B) licensed by the Department of Public Health as an infirmary operated by an educational institution or as an outpatient clinic, and (C) accredited by the Joint Commission or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

(b) A sexual assault forensic examiner may provide immediate care and treatment to a victim of sexual assault who is a patient in an acute care hospital or in a health care facility and collect evidence pertaining to the investigation of any sexual assault in accordance with the State of Connecticut Technical Guidelines for Health Care Response to Victims of Sexual Assault, published by the Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations pursuant to section 19a-112a. Services provided by a sexual assault forensic examiner shall be: (1) In accordance with the policies and accreditation standards of the acute care hospital or health care facility; and (2) pursuant to a written agreement entered into by the (A) acute care hospital or health care facility, (B) Department of Public Health, and (C) Office of Victim Services concerning the participation of the acute care hospital or health care facility in the sexual assault forensic examiners program. Nothing in this section shall be construed as altering the scope of the practice of nursing as set forth in section 20-87a.

(Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 48; P.A. 15-16, S. 1.)

History: Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 effective October 6, 2009; P.A. 15-16 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provision re definition of “sexual assault forensic examiner” as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) defining “health care facility”, amended Subsec. (b) by adding references to health care facility, and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2015.