MN HF3571

Counties must pay all costs for medical examinations of sexual assault victims performed for evidence gathering, including rape kit examinations, prophylactic medications, and sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy testing.

Medical examination costs are county responsibility regardless of whether the victim reports the offense to law enforcement or the status of any investigation or prosecution.

Victims cannot be billed for examination costs and hospitals must inform victims in writing that the county bears full financial responsibility.

Counties may only seek insurance reimbursement from a victim's private or public insurer if the victim specifically authorizes it after the examination is completed.

Courts must order persons convicted of criminal sexual conduct to pay restitution to the county or entity that paid for the examination costs.