22-22-26County to pay for forensic medical examinations.

The county where an alleged rape or sexual offense occurred shall pay the cost of any forensic medical examination performed by a physician, hospital, or clinic on the victim of the alleged rape or sexual offense. For purposes of the provisions of §§ 22-22-26 to 22-22-26.2, inclusive, the term, forensic medical examination, includes:

(1)    Examination of physical trauma;

(2)    Patient interview, including medical history, triage, and consultation; and

(3)    Collection and evaluation of evidence, including any photographic documentation; preservation and maintenance of the chain of custody of evidence; medical specimen collection; and any alcohol- or drug-facilitated sexual assault assessment and toxicology screening deemed necessary by the physician, hospital, or clinic.

Source: SL 1986, ch. 182; SL 2005, ch 120, § 402; SL 2012, ch 126, § 1; SL 2013, ch 108, § 1; SL 2018, ch 131, § 1.