{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/32.1-162.15_2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/32.1-162.15_2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/32.1-162.15_2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/32.1-162.15_2.html"}],"law_id":62370,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62370,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:2","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"2020, c. 725; 2023, c. 183; 2025, cc. 480, 491.","full_text":"As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Anonymous physical evidence recovery kit” has the same meaning as in \u00a7 19.2-11.5.\n\t\t“Approved pediatric health care facility” means a pediatric health care facility for which a plan for the delivery of services to pediatric sexual assault patients has been approved pursuant to \u00a7 32.1-162.15:6.\n\t\t“Board” means the Board of Health.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Health.\n\t\t“Emergency contraception” means medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual assault.\n\t\t“Follow-up health care” means any physical examination, laboratory tests to determine the presence of sexually transmitted infection, or appropriate medications, including HIV-prophylaxis, provided to a sexual assault patient by a health care provider within 90 days after the date on which treatment or transfer services pursuant to this article are first provided.\n\t\t“Health care facility” means an outpatient surgical hospital or other facility that is licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services and does not meet the definition of hospital or pediatric health care facility in this section.\n\t\t“Hospital” means any inpatient hospital licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter or an inpatient hospital owned or operated by an agency of the Commonwealth that is not a long term care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, or psychiatric hospital.\n\t\t“Medical forensic examination” means an examination of a sexual assault patient by a health care provider. A “medical forensic examination” may include gathering information from the patient for such patient’s medical forensic history; conducting an examination; coordinating treatment of injuries, documenting biological and physical findings, and collecting evidence from the patient in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 1.2 (\u00a7 19.2-11.5 et seq.) of Title 19.2; and providing information, treatment, and referrals to community-based services.\n\t\t“Pediatric health care facility” means an inpatient hospital licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services to pediatric patients.\n\t\t“Pediatric sexual assault patient” means a sexual assault patient who is under 18 years of age.\n\t\t“Physical evidence recovery kit” has the same meaning as in \u00a7 19.2-11.5.\n\t\t“Sexual assault forensic examiner” means a sexual assault nurse examiner, a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a registered nurse who has completed training that meets or is substantially similar to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines established by the International Association of Forensic Nurses.\n\t\t“Sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization services” means an appropriate medical screening and such stabilizing treatment in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, 42 U.S.C. \u00a7 1395dd, as may be necessary prior to the transfer of a sexual assault patient from a transfer hospital to a treatment hospital.\n\t\t“Sexual assault patient treatment services” means health care services provided to a sexual assault patient by a hospital in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-162.15:4 or pediatric health care facility in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-162.15:6.\n\t\t“Transfer hospital” means a hospital with a sexual assault patient transfer plan approved by the Department.\n\t\t“Transportation service” means transportation provided to a sexual assault patient who is transferred from a transfer hospital, treatment hospital, or approved pediatric health care facility to a treatment hospital or approved pediatric care facility pursuant to a transfer plan approved in accordance with this article.\n\t\t“Treatment hospital” means a hospital with a sexual assault patient treatment plan approved by the Department to provide sexual assault patient treatment services to all sexual assault patients who present with a complaint of sexual assault within the previous seven days or who have disclosed past sexual assault by a specific individual and were in the care of that individual within the previous seven days.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":227478,"text":"As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Anonymous physical evidence recovery kit” has the same meaning as in \u00a7 19.2-11.5.\n\t\t“Approved pediatric health care facility” means a pediatric health care facility for which a plan for the delivery of services to pediatric sexual assault patients has been approved pursuant to \u00a7 32.1-162.15:6.\n\t\t“Board” means the Board of Health.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Health.\n\t\t“Emergency contraception” means medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual assault.\n\t\t“Follow-up health care” means any physical examination, laboratory tests to determine the presence of sexually transmitted infection, or appropriate medications, including HIV-prophylaxis, provided to a sexual assault patient by a health care provider within 90 days after the date on which treatment or transfer services pursuant to this article are first provided.\n\t\t“Health care facility” means an outpatient surgical hospital or other facility that is licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services and does not meet the definition of hospital or pediatric health care facility in this section.\n\t\t“Hospital” means any inpatient hospital licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter or an inpatient hospital owned or operated by an agency of the Commonwealth that is not a long term care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, or psychiatric hospital.\n\t\t“Medical forensic examination” means an examination of a sexual assault patient by a health care provider. A “medical forensic examination” may include gathering information from the patient for such patient’s medical forensic history; conducting an examination; coordinating treatment of injuries, documenting biological and physical findings, and collecting evidence from the patient in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 1.2 (\u00a7 19.2-11.5 et seq.) of Title 19.2; and providing information, treatment, and referrals to community-based services.\n\t\t“Pediatric health care facility” means an inpatient hospital licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services to pediatric patients.\n\t\t“Pediatric sexual assault patient” means a sexual assault patient who is under 18 years of age.\n\t\t“Physical evidence recovery kit” has the same meaning as in \u00a7 19.2-11.5.\n\t\t“Sexual assault forensic examiner” means a sexual assault nurse examiner, a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a registered nurse who has completed training that meets or is substantially similar to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines established by the International Association of Forensic Nurses.\n\t\t“Sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization services” means an appropriate medical screening and such stabilizing treatment in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, 42 U.S.C. \u00a7 1395dd, as may be necessary prior to the transfer of a sexual assault patient from a transfer hospital to a treatment hospital.\n\t\t“Sexual assault patient treatment services” means health care services provided to a sexual assault patient by a hospital in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-162.15:4 or pediatric health care facility in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-162.15:6.\n\t\t“Transfer hospital” means a hospital with a sexual assault patient transfer plan approved by the Department.\n\t\t“Transportation service” means transportation provided to a sexual assault patient who is transferred from a transfer hospital, treatment hospital, or approved pediatric health care facility to a treatment hospital or approved pediatric care facility pursuant to a transfer plan approved in accordance with this article.\n\t\t“Treatment hospital” means a hospital with a sexual assault patient treatment plan approved by the Department to provide sexual assault patient treatment services to all sexual assault patients who present with a complaint of sexual assault within the previous seven days or who have disclosed past sexual assault by a specific individual and were in the care of that individual within the previous seven days.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13650,"edition_id":1,"name":"Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12728,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:28","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:28","permalink":{"id":203437,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13650,"identifier":"8","token":"32.1\/5\/8","url":"\/32.1\/5\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12728,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12727,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":202855,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12728,"identifier":"5","token":"32.1\/5","url":"\/32.1\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12727,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health","identifier":"32.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":201099,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12727,"identifier":"32.1","token":"32.1","url":"\/32.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":54623,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:10","catch_line":"Complaints","url":"\/32.1-162.15_10\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_10","metadata":false},{"id":68577,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:11","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/32.1-162.15_11\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_11","metadata":false},{"id":55488,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:12","catch_line":"Virginia Forensic Nursing Advisory Council","url":"\/32.1-162.15_12\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_12","metadata":false},{"id":62370,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:2","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/32.1-162.15_2\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_2","metadata":false},{"id":70695,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:3","catch_line":"Services for sexual assault patients; plan required","url":"\/32.1-162.15_3\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_3","metadata":false},{"id":86142,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:4","catch_line":"Treatment services","url":"\/32.1-162.15_4\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_4","metadata":false},{"id":71785,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:5","catch_line":"Transfer services","url":"\/32.1-162.15_5\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_5","metadata":false},{"id":56848,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:6","catch_line":"Services for pediatric sexual assault patients; plan required","url":"\/32.1-162.15_6\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_6","metadata":false},{"id":55486,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:7","catch_line":"Inspections; report required","url":"\/32.1-162.15_7\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_7","metadata":false},{"id":67802,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:8","catch_line":"Storage, retention, and dissemination of photographic documentation","url":"\/32.1-162.15_8\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_8","metadata":false},{"id":75863,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:9","catch_line":"Submission of evidence","url":"\/32.1-162.15_9\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":55488,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:12","catch_line":"Virginia Forensic Nursing Advisory Council","url":"\/32.1-162.15_12\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_12","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":70695,"structure_id":13650,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:3","catch_line":"Services for sexual assault patients; plan required","url":"\/32.1-162.15_3\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/32.1-162.15:2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 725<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2023, chapter 183<\/a>; in 2025, chapters 480<\/a> and 491<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":70337,"section_number":"23.1-807.1","catch_line":"Baccalaureate public institutions of higher education; provision of physical evidence recovery kits","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-807.1\/"},{"id":54729,"section_number":"54.1-2910.5","catch_line":"Pediatric sexual assault patient services; requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2910.5\/"},{"id":73404,"section_number":"54.1-3018.2","catch_line":"Pediatric sexual assault patient services; requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3018.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":57134,"section_number":"19.2-11.5","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-11.5\/"},{"id":86142,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:4","catch_line":"Treatment services","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-162.15_4\/"},{"id":56848,"section_number":"32.1-162.15:6","catch_line":"Services for pediatric sexual assault patients; plan required","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-162.15_6\/"}],"permalink":{"id":203451,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62370,"identifier":"32.1-162.15:2","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_2","url":"\/32.1-162.15_2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/32.1-162.15_2\/","token":"32.1\/5\/8\/32.1-162.15_2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 32.1-162.15:2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Anonymous physical evidence recovery kit<\/span><\/span>” has the same meaning as in \u00a7 19.2-11.5<\/a>.\n\t\t“Approved pediatric health care facility<\/span><\/span><\/span>” means a pediatric health care facility<\/span><\/span> for which a plan for the delivery of services to pediatric sexual assault patients<\/span> has been approved pursuant to \u00a7 32.1-162.15:6<\/a>.\n\t\t“Board<\/span>” means the Board<\/span> of Health.\n\t\t“Department<\/span>” means the Department<\/span> of Health.\n\t\t“Emergency contraception<\/span>” means medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual assault.\n\t\t“Follow-up health care<\/span>” means any physical examination, laboratory tests to determine the presence of sexually transmitted infection, or appropriate medications, including HIV-prophylaxis, provided to a sexual assault patient by a health care provider within 90 days after the date on which treatment or transfer services pursuant to this article are first provided.\n\t\t“Health care facility<\/span>” means an outpatient surgical hospital or other facility that is licensed by the Department<\/span> pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services and does not meet the definition of hospital or pediatric health care facility<\/span><\/span> in this section.\n\t\t“Hospital” means any inpatient hospital licensed by the Department<\/span> pursuant to this chapter or an inpatient hospital owned or operated by an agency of the Commonwealth that is not a long term care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, or psychiatric hospital.\n\t\t“Medical forensic examination<\/span>” means an examination of a sexual assault patient by a health care provider. A “medical forensic examination<\/span>” may include gathering information from the patient for such patient’s medical forensic history; conducting an examination; coordinating treatment of injuries, documenting biological and physical findings<\/span>, and collecting evidence from the patient in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 1.2 (\u00a7 19.2-11.5<\/a> et seq.) of Title 19.2; and providing information, treatment, and referrals to community-based services.\n\t\t“Pediatric health care facility<\/span><\/span>” means an inpatient hospital licensed by the Department<\/span> pursuant to this chapter that provides health care services to pediatric patients.\n\t\t“Pediatric sexual assault patient<\/span>” means a sexual assault patient who is under 18 years of age.\n\t\t“Physical evidence recovery kit<\/span>” has the same meaning as in \u00a7 19.2-11.5<\/a>.\n\t\t“Sexual assault forensic examiner<\/span>” means a sexual assault nurse examiner, a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a registered nurse who has completed training that meets or is substantially similar to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines established by the International Association of Forensic Nurses.\n\t\t“Sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization services<\/span>” means an appropriate medical screening and such stabilizing treatment in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, 42 U.S.C. \u00a7 1395dd, as may be necessary prior to the transfer of a sexual assault patient from a transfer hospital<\/span> to a treatment hospital<\/span>.\n\t\t“Sexual assault patient treatment services<\/span>” means health care services provided to a sexual assault patient by a hospital in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-162.15:4<\/a> or pediatric health care facility<\/span><\/span> in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-162.15:6<\/a>.\n\t\t“Transfer hospital<\/span>” means a hospital with a sexual assault patient transfer plan approved by the Department<\/span>.\n\t\t“Transportation service<\/span>” means transportation provided to a sexual assault patient who is transferred from a transfer hospital<\/span>, treatment hospital<\/span>, or approved pediatric health care facility<\/span><\/span><\/span> to a treatment hospital<\/span> or approved pediatric care facility pursuant to a transfer plan approved in accordance with this article.\n\t\t“Treatment hospital<\/span>” means a hospital with a sexual assault patient treatment plan approved by the Department<\/span> to provide sexual assault patient treatment services<\/span> to all sexual assault patients who present with a complaint of sexual assault within the previous seven days or who have disclosed past sexual assault by a specific individual and were in the care of that individual within the previous seven days.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 32.1-162.15:2)\n\nAs used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Anonymous physical evidence recovery kit” has the same meaning as\nin \u00a7 19.2-11.5.\n\t\t“Approved pediatric health care facility” means a pediatric health\ncare facility for which a plan for the delivery of services to pediatric sexual\nassault patients has been approved pursuant to \u00a7 32.1-162.15:6.\n\t\t“Board” means the Board of Health.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Health.\n\t\t“Emergency contraception” means medication approved by the U.S.\nFood and Drug Administration that can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy\nif taken within 72 hours after sexual assault.\n\t\t“Follow-up health care” means any physical examination, laboratory\ntests to determine the presence of sexually transmitted infection, or\nappropriate medications, including HIV-prophylaxis, provided to a sexual assault\npatient by a health care provider within 90 days after the date on which\ntreatment or transfer services pursuant to this article are first provided.\n\t\t“Health care facility” means an outpatient surgical hospital or\nother facility that is licensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that\nprovides health care services and does not meet the definition of hospital or\npediatric health care facility in this section.\n\t\t“Hospital” means any inpatient hospital licensed by the Department\npursuant to this chapter or an inpatient hospital owned or operated by an agency\nof the Commonwealth that is not a long term care hospital, rehabilitation\nhospital, or psychiatric hospital.\n\t\t“Medical forensic examination” means an examination of a sexual\nassault patient by a health care provider. A “medical forensic\nexamination” may include gathering information from the patient for such\npatient’s medical forensic history; conducting an examination;\ncoordinating treatment of injuries, documenting biological and physical\nfindings, and collecting evidence from the patient in accordance with the\nrequirements of Chapter 1.2 (\u00a7 19.2-11.5 et seq.) of Title 19.2; and providing\ninformation, treatment, and referrals to community-based services.\n\t\t“Pediatric health care facility” means an inpatient hospital\nlicensed by the Department pursuant to this chapter that provides health care\nservices to pediatric patients.\n\t\t“Pediatric sexual assault patient” means a sexual assault patient\nwho is under 18 years of age.\n\t\t“Physical evidence recovery kit” has the same meaning as in \u00a7\n19.2-11.5.\n\t\t“Sexual assault forensic examiner” means a sexual assault nurse\nexaminer, a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered\nnurse, or a registered nurse who has completed training that meets or is\nsubstantially similar to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines\nestablished by the International Association of Forensic Nurses.\n\t\t“Sexual assault patient transfer and stabilization services” means\nan appropriate medical screening and such stabilizing treatment in accordance\nwith the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, 42 U.S.C. \u00a7 1395dd,\nas may be necessary prior to the transfer of a sexual assault patient from a\ntransfer hospital to a treatment hospital.\n\t\t“Sexual assault patient treatment services” means health care\nservices provided to a sexual assault patient by a hospital in accordance with\n\u00a7 32.1-162.15:4 or pediatric health care facility in accordance with \u00a7\n32.1-162.15:6.\n\t\t“Transfer hospital” means a hospital with a sexual assault patient\ntransfer plan approved by the Department.\n\t\t“Transportation service” means transportation provided to a sexual\nassault patient who is transferred from a transfer hospital, treatment hospital,\nor approved pediatric health care facility to a treatment hospital or approved\npediatric care facility pursuant to a transfer plan approved in accordance with\nthis article.\n\t\t“Treatment hospital” means a hospital with a sexual assault\npatient treatment plan approved by the Department to provide sexual assault\npatient treatment services to all sexual assault patients who present with a\ncomplaint of sexual assault within the previous seven days or who have disclosed\npast sexual assault by a specific individual and were in the care of that\nindividual within the previous seven days.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, c. 725; 2023, c. 183; 2025, cc. 480, 491.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}