(b) The advocate may only provide the injured person with:

(1) counseling and other support services; and

(2) information regarding the rights of crime victims under Articles 56.02 and 56.021.

(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the advocate and the sexual assault program providing the advocate may not delay or otherwise impede the screening or stabilization of an emergency medical condition.

(d) The sexual assault program providing the advocate shall pay all costs associated with providing the advocate.

(e) Any individual or entity, including a health care facility, that provides an advocate with access to a person consenting to an examination under Subsection (a) is not subject to civil or criminal liability for providing that access. In this subsection, "health care facility" includes a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code.

(f) If a person alleging to have sustained injuries as the victim of a sexual assault was confined in a penal institution, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, at the time of the alleged assault, the penal institution shall provide, at the person's request, a representative to be present with the person at any forensic medical examination conducted for the purpose of collecting and preserving evidence related to the investigation or prosecution of the alleged assault. The representative may only provide the injured person with counseling and other support services and with information regarding the rights of crime victims under Articles 56.02 and 56.021 and may not delay or otherwise impede the screening or stabilization of an emergency medical condition. The representative must be approved by the penal institution and must be a:

(1) psychologist;

(2) sociologist;

(3) chaplain;

(4) social worker;

(5) case manager; or

(6) volunteer who has completed a sexual assault training program described by Section 420.011(b), Government Code.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1019, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1345 (S.B. 1192), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2013.

Text of article effective until January 01, 2021