Florida Statutes 960.28 – Payment for victims’ initial forensic physical examinations
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Terms Used In Florida Statutes 960.28
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- minor: includes any person who has not attained the age of 18 years. See Florida Statutes 1.01
- Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
- Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
(1) A medical provider who performs an initial forensic physical examination may not bill a victim or the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor directly or indirectly for that examination.
(2) The Crime Victims’ Services Office of the department shall pay for medical expenses connected with an initial forensic physical examination of a victim of sexual battery as defined in chapter 794 or a lewd or lascivious offense as defined in chapter 800. Such payment shall be made regardless of whether the victim is covered by health or disability insurance and whether the victim participates in the criminal justice system or cooperates with law enforcement. The payment shall be made only out of moneys allocated to the Crime Victims’ Services Office for the purposes of this section, and the payment may not exceed $1,000 with respect to any violation. The department shall develop and maintain separate protocols for the initial forensic physical examination of adults and children. Payment under this section is limited to medical expenses connected with the initial forensic physical examination, and payment may be made to a medical provider using an examiner qualified under part I of chapter 464, excluding s. 464.003(15); chapter 458; or chapter 459. Payment made to the medical provider by the department shall be considered by the provider as payment in full for the initial forensic physical examination associated with the collection of evidence. The victim may not be required to pay, directly or indirectly, the cost of an initial forensic physical examination performed in accordance with this section.
(3) The department may allow, deny, controvert, or litigate claims made against it under this section.
(4) Information received or maintained by the department identifying an alleged victim who seeks payment of medical expenses under this section is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
(5) A defendant or juvenile offender who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for, a violation of chapter 794 or chapter 800 shall be ordered by the court to make restitution to the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund in an amount equal to the compensation paid to the medical provider by the Crime Victims’ Services Office for the cost of the initial forensic physical examination. The order may be enforced by the department in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action.