Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, and also as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section not effective until Oct. 1 of the first fiscal year beginning after Mar. 15, 2022, see section 4(a) of div. W of Pub. L. 117–103, set out as a note under section 6851 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

National Report on Sexual Assault Services in Nation’s Health System

Pub. L. 117–103, div. W, title V, § 504, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 876, provided that:

“(a)

In General.—

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 15, 2022], and annually thereafter, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in consultation with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Indian Health Service, the Office for Victims of Crime of the Department of Justice, the Office on Women’s Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office of Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice (collectively referred to in this section as the ‘Agencies’), shall submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as ‘the Secretary’) a report of existing Federal, Indian Tribe, and State practices relating to medical forensic examinations which may include the findings of the surveys developed under section 503 [42 U.S.C. 280g–4a].

“(b)

Core Competencies.—

In conducting activities under this section, the Agencies shall address sexual assault forensic examination competencies, including—

“(1)

providing medical care to sexual assault patients;

“(2)

demonstrating the ability to conduct a medical forensic examination, including an evaluation for evidence collection;

“(3)

showing compassion and sensitivity towards survivors of sexual assault;

“(4)

testifying in Federal, State, local, and Tribal courts; and

“(5)

other competencies, as the Agencies determine appropriate.

“(c)

Publication.—

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shall establish, maintain, and publish on the website of the Department of Health and Human Services an online public map of availability of sexual assault forensic examinations. Such maps shall clarify if there is full-time, part-time, or on-call coverage.

“(d)

Report to Congress.—

Not later than 60 days after receiving the report described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Education and Labor [now Committee on Education and the Workforce] of the House of Representatives recommendations for improving sexual assault forensic examination competencies based on the report described in subsection (a).”

[For definition of terms used in section 504 of div. W of Pub. L. 117–103, set out above, see section 12291 Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement, as made applicable by section 2(b) of div. W of Pub. L. 117–103, which is set out as a note under section 12291 of Title 34].

Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 12291 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement, as made applicable by section 2(b) of div. W of Pub. L. 117–103, which is set out as a note under section 12291 of Title 34.