1178

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 316

14-12A-04.

IF A JUDGMENT IS ENTERED IN FAVOR OF A COMPLAINING
PARTY, THE COURT MAY AWARD ATTORNEY FEES TO THE COMPLAINING
PARTY.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1980.

Approved May 6, 1980.

CHAPTER 317

(Senate Bill 433)

AN ACT concerning

Alleged Rape and Sexual Offense Victims -
Payment of Medical Expenses

FOR the purpose of altering the present reimbursement
procedure for the victims of alleged rape and sexual
offenses to provide that the Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene shall pay certain doctor and hospital
charges; and generally relating to the payment of
doctor and hospital costs for alleged rape and sexual
offense victims.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 43 - Health

Section 31D

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1971 Replacement Volume and 1979 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 43 - Health

31D.

(a) Whenever a doctor or a hospital provides any
physical examination of any victim of an alleged rape or
sexual offense for the purpose of establishing and gathering
information and evidence as to the ALLEGED crime, the
service shall be furnished without charge to the person and
the doctor or hospital shall be entitled to be [reimbursed]
PAID by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for the
costs of providing these services.