H-1381              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1753

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives K. Wilson, Brough, Locke, Vekich, Brooks, Sprenkle, Moyer, D. Sommers and Miller

Read first time 2/3/89 and referred to Committee on Appropriations.

AN ACT Relating to victims of child abuse; amending RCW 7.68.170; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that specific skills and experience are necessary to effectively interview and examine victims of child abuse and that a source of funding should be available for that purpose, so that such actions can be successfully prosecuted with the least adverse impact on child victims.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The purpose of this act is to provide a source of payment for examinations and interviews of victims of child abuse by persons with the skills and experience necessary to effectively conduct such examinations and interviews.

        Sec. 3.  Section 11, chapter 219, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 7.68.170 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No costs incurred by a hospital or other emergency medical facility for the examination of the victim of a sexual assault, when such examination is performed for the purposes of gathering evidence for possible prosecution, shall be billed or charged directly or indirectly to the victim of such assault.  Such costs shall be paid by the state pursuant to this chapter.

(2) No costs incurred by a health care facility or by a county prosecuting attorney, either directly or by contract with qualified individuals or agencies, for examination or interviews of victims of child abuse, when such examination or interview is performed for the purpose of gathering evidence for possible prosecution, shall be billed or charged directly or indirectly to the victim of such abuse.  Such costs shall be paid by the state pursuant to this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.