Texas · Through 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025

Tex. Health and Safety Code § 323.054: FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION BY SAFE PROGRAM; INFORMED CONSENT.

(a) A SAFE program shall provide to a sexual assault survivor under the care of the program a forensic medical examination in accordance with Subchapter B, Chapter 420, Government Code, and Subchapter G, Chapter 56A, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(b) Only a sexual assault examiner or a sexual assault nurse examiner may perform a forensic medical examination under a SAFE program.
(c) A sexual assault examiner or sexual assault nurse examiner employed by or under contract with a SAFE program must obtain the consent described by Article 56A.303, Code of Criminal Procedure, before performing a forensic medical examination or providing medical treatment to the survivor.
(d) A sexual assault survivor who receives a forensic medical examination from a sexual assault examiner or sexual assault nurse examiner employed by or under contract with a SAFE program may not be required to:
(1) participate in the investigation or prosecution of an offense as a prerequisite to receiving the forensic medical examination or medical treatment; or
(2) pay for any costs described by Article 56A.304(a), Code of Criminal Procedure.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 822 (H.B. 2706), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2021.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 206 (S.B. 1401), Sec. 23, eff. September 1, 2023.

Where this section sits in the code

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
TITLE 4. HEALTH FACILITIES
SUBTITLE G. PROVISION OF SERVICES IN CERTAIN FACILITIES
CHAPTER 323. EMERGENCY SERVICES AND FORENSIC EXAMINATION PROGRAMS FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
SUBCHAPTER B. SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINATION PROGRAMS

(b) Only a sexual assault examiner or a sexual assault nurse examiner may perform a forensic medical examination under a SAFE program.

(c) A sexual assault examiner or sexual assault nurse examiner employed by or under contract with a SAFE program must obtain the consent described by Article 56A.303, Code of Criminal Procedure, before performing a forensic medical examination or providing medical treatment to the survivor.

(d) A sexual assault survivor who receives a forensic medical examination from a sexual assault examiner or sexual assault nurse examiner employed by or under contract with a SAFE program may not be required to:

(1) participate in the investigation or prosecution of an offense as a prerequisite to receiving the forensic medical examination or medical treatment; or

(2) pay for any costs described by Article 56A.304(a), Code of Criminal Procedure.

Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 822 (H.B. 2706), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2021.

Amended by:

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 206 (S.B. 1401), Sec. 23, eff. September 1, 2023.

Collected 2026-08-27T01:47:17Z. Source file · JSON

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