§564. Administration of sexual assault forensic examination kits

§564. Administration of sexual assault forensic examination kits

(a) Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Procedure.—

(1) In general.—Before embarking on any prescheduled voyage, a Coast Guard vessel shall have in place a written operating procedure that ensures that an embarked victim of sexual assault shall have access to a sexual assault forensic examination—

(A) as soon as possible after the victim requests an examination; and

(B) that is treated with the same level of urgency as emergency medical care.

(2) Requirements.—The written operating procedure required by paragraph (1),¹ shall, at a minimum, account for—

(A) the health, safety, and privacy of a victim of sexual assault;

(B) the proximity of ashore or afloat medical facilities, including coordination as necessary with the Department of Defense, including other military departments (as defined in section 101 of title 10);

(C) the availability of aeromedical evacuation;

(D) the operational capabilities of the vessel concerned;

(E) the qualifications of medical personnel onboard;

(F) coordination with law enforcement and the preservation of evidence;

(G) the means of accessing a sexual assault forensic examination and medical care with a restricted report of sexual assault;

(H) the availability of nonprescription pregnancy prophylactics; and

(I) other unique military considerations.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Annual Report

Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, §11272(c)(5), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4067, provided that: "The Commandant [of the Coast Guard] shall submit to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the House and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee of the Senate a report containing the number of sexual assault forensic examinations that were requested by, but not administered within 3 days to, alleged victims of sexual assault when such victims were onboard a vessel."