HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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Senate Bill No. 552

AN ACT concerning

Rape and Sexual Offenses — Doctor and Hospital Charges

FOR the purpose of changing the procedure for the payment of
certain doctor and hospital charges for the victims of
rape and sexual offenses; and generally relating to
payment of doctor and hospital costs for rape and
sexual offense victims.

May 29, 1979
Honorable James Clark, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 552.

This bill changes the procedure for payment of
physicians and hospital bills for victims of rape or sexual
offense.

I have been advised by the Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene that presently the Department reimburses a
physician $80 for examination of victims of rape or sexual
offense and completion of a multipage report for prosecution
purposes. By requiring that the physicians bill the
victim's insurer, this bill would result in a considerable
reduction of that fee. I am advised that this would mean
that fewer physicians would be willing to conduct these
examinations and complete the reports. Therefore, the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has requested that
this bill be vetoed. The Department will introduce
corrective legislation in the 1980 legislative session.

For these reasons I have decided to veto Senate Bill
552.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor