HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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House Bill 512, which was passed by the General Assembly and
signed by me on May 13, 1986, accomplishes the same purpose.
Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill 187.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

Senate Bill No. 187

AN ACT concerning

Rape Victims - Costs of Medical Services

FOR the purpose of increasing the number of services for which a
physician or hospital is entitled to payment by the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene if the physician or
hospital provides any of the services to a victim of an
alleged rape or sexual offense; and clarifying language.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Health - General

Section 15-127

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1982 Volume and 1985 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

15-127.

(a)  If a physician or a hospital provides any [physical
examination of] OF THE SERVICES DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF
THIS SECTION TO a victim of an alleged rape or sexual offense [to
gather information and evidence as to the alleged crime, these
services], THE SERVICES shall be provided without charge to the
individual AND THE PHYSICIAN OR HOSPITAL IS ENTITLED TO BE PAID
BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.

(b)   [The physician or hospital is entitled to be paid by
the Department for the costs of providing these services] THE
SERVICES TO WHICH THIS SECTION APPLIES ARE:

(1)  A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION TO GATHER INFORMATION AND
EVIDENCE AS TO THE ALLEGED CRIME; AND

(2)  EMERGENCY HOSPITAL TREATMENT; AND AND FOLLOW-UP
MEDICAL TESTING FOR UP TO 90 DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION IN SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION.