NY A05187

Requires hospitals to collect, maintain, and provide domestic violence evidence to victims upon request, including photographs and physical items, stored in secure conditions for five years.

Mandates hospitals contact domestic violence assistance organizations to coordinate non-medical services for victims who request such coordination.

Prohibits hospitals from billing domestic violence victims for forensic exams and requires notification of the option to decline providing private health insurance information, with the Office of Victim Services providing reimbursement instead.

Establishes a direct reimbursement fee of up to $800 (subject to annual review) from the Office of Victim Services to hospitals and health care providers for domestic violence forensic exams, which must be accepted as payment in full.

Clarifies that when victims assign private insurance benefits, providers cannot charge deductibles, coinsurance, or balance billing, and allows victims to decline providing insurance information if it would interfere with their privacy or safety.