Virginia § 32.1-162.15:2 - Definitions

§ 32.1-162.15:2. Definitions

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Anonymous physical evidence recovery kit" has the same meaning as in § 19.2-11.5.

"Approved pediatric health care facility" means a pediatric health care facility for which a plan for the delivery of services to pediatric sexual assault patients has been approved pursuant to § 32.1-162.15:6.

"Board" means the Board of Health.

"Department" means the Department of Health.

"Emergency contraception" means medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual assault.

"Follow-up health care" means any physical examination, laboratory tests to determine the presence of sexually transmitted infection, or appropriate medications, including HIV-prophylaxis, provided to a sexual assault patient by a health care provider within 90 days after the date on which treatment or transfer services pursuant to this article are first provided.

"Health care facility" means an outpatient surgical hospital or other facility that is licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services and does not meet the definition of hospital or pediatric health care facility in this section.

"Hospital" means any inpatient hospital licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter or an inpatient hospital owned or operated by an agency of the Commonwealth that is not a long term care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, or psychiatric hospital.

"Medical forensic examination" means an examination of a sexual assault patient by a health care provider. A "medical forensic examination" may include gathering information from the patient for such patient's medical forensic history; conducting an examination; coordinating treatment of injuries, documenting biological and physical findings, and collecting evidence from the patient in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 1.2 (§ 19.2-11.5 et seq.) of Title 19.2; and providing information, treatment, and referrals to community-based services.

"Pediatric health care facility" means an inpatient hospital licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services to pediatric patients.

"Pediatric sexual assault patient" means a sexual assault patient who is under 18 years of age.

"Physical evidence recovery kit" has the same meaning as in § 19.2-11.5.

"Sexual assault forensic examiner" means a sexual assault nurse examiner, a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a registered nurse who has completed training that meets or is substantially similar to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines established by the International Association of Forensic Nurses.

"Sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization services" means an appropriate medical screening and such stabilizing treatment in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1395dd, as may be necessary prior to the transfer of a sexual assault patient from a transfer hospital to a treatment hospital.

"Sexual assault patient treatment services" means health care services provided to a sexual assault patient by a hospital in accordance with § 32.1-162.15:4 or pediatric health care facility in accordance with § 32.1-162.15:6.

"Transfer hospital" means a hospital with a sexual assault patient transfer plan approved by the Department.

"Transportation service" means transportation provided to a sexual assault patient who is transferred from a transfer hospital, treatment hospital, or approved pediatric health care facility to a treatment hospital or approved pediatric care facility pursuant to a transfer plan approved in accordance with this article.

"Treatment hospital" means a hospital with a sexual assault patient treatment plan approved by the Department to provide sexual assault patient treatment services to all sexual assault patients who present with a complaint of sexual assault within the previous seven days or who have disclosed past sexual assault by a specific individual and were in the care of that individual within the previous seven days.

2020, c. 725; 2023, c. 183; 2025, cc. 480, 491.