The House gave final approval Wednesday to a bill that spares all victims of sexual assault a hospital bill for an exam needed to collect evidence of the attack.
The bill will now be sent to the Gov. Beverly Perdue, who said through a spokesman that she intends to sign it, Mandy Locke reports.
The legislature carved out $1 million last year to cover rape kit exams for uninsured victims. The legislation passed today would picks up the tab for anyone requesting a forensic exam at the hospital after a sexual attack.
Previously, for patients with health insurance, hospitals billed their insurers. That meant that these victims would shoulder the burden of a co-pay or portion of a deductible payment.
More after the jump.
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Advocates had asked for this change, in part, because they wanted to protect the privacy of college students who might share an insurance policy with their parents.
"Students should have a right to keep that information to themselves," said Monika Johnson-Hostler, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
The legislation also removes the requirement that victims report the crime to police. The federal government requires anonymous reporting be allowed in order for states to receive funding for some victim services.
The News & Observer reported in 2008 that the vast majority of the 3,000 rape victims being examined in North Carolina emergency rooms were shouldering some of the burden of the test needed to collect evidence of the crime. Many legislators were surprised and vowed to fund the exams of all victims.
No additional money will be allocated this year. Officials believe the $1 million funneled toward the program last year will cover the additional costs of expanding the program.
Advocates praised today's move, saying it was long overdue to put rape victims on equal footing with victims of other crimes, who are not asked to pay for a forensic investigation.
"North Carolina is slowly but surely catching up with other states in doing right by victims of sexual assault," said Johnson-Hostler.
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Re: No more bills for rape kits
I meant get a job. That more direct?