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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>78807</law_id><section_number>18.2-61.1</section_number><catch_line>Testing of certain persons for sexually transmitted infections</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="18.2">Crimes and Offenses Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="4">Crimes Against the Person</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="7">Criminal Sexual Assault</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> As soon as practicable following <span class="dictionary">arrest</span>, the attorney for the Commonwealth may request after consultation with a <span class="dictionary">complaining witness</span>, or shall request upon the request of the <span class="dictionary">complaining witness</span>, that any person charged with (i) any <span class="dictionary">crime</span> involving sexual <span class="dictionary">assault</span> pursuant to this article; (ii) any <span class="dictionary">offense</span> against children as prohibited by &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Crimes against nature; penalty" href="/18.2-361/">18.2-361</a>, <a class="law" title="Sexual intercourse by persons forbidden to marry; incest; penalties" href="/18.2-366/">18.2-366</a>, <a class="law" title="Taking indecent liberties with children; penalties" href="/18.2-370/">18.2-370</a>, and <a class="law" title="Taking indecent liberties with child by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalties" href="/18.2-370.1/">18.2-370.1</a>; or (iii) any <span class="dictionary">assault</span> and <span class="dictionary">battery</span>, and where the <span class="dictionary">complaining witness</span> was exposed to body fluids of the person so charged in a manner that may, according to the then-current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmit a sexually transmitted infection, be requested to submit to diagnostic testing for <span class="dictionary">sexually transmitted infections</span> and any follow-up testing as may be medically appropriate. The person so charged shall be counseled about the meaning of the tests and about the transmission, treatment, and prevention of <span class="dictionary">sexually transmitted infections</span>.
			If the person so charged refuses to submit to testing or the competency of the person to consent to testing is at <span class="dictionary">issue</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> with <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the case shall hold a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> in a manner as provided by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Examination of witnesses; assistance of counsel; evidentiary matters and remedies; power to adjourn case" href="/19.2-183/">19.2-183</a>, as soon as practicable, to determine whether there is <span class="dictionary">probable cause</span> that the individual has committed the <span class="dictionary">crime</span> with which he is charged and that the <span class="dictionary">complaining witness</span> was exposed to body fluids of the person so charged in a manner that may, according to the then-current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmit a sexually transmitted infection. If the <span class="dictionary">court</span> finds <span class="dictionary">probable cause</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> the person so charged to undergo testing for <span class="dictionary">sexually transmitted infections</span>. The <span class="dictionary">court</span> may enter such an <span class="dictionary">order</span> in the absence of the person so charged if the person so charged is represented at the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> by <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> or a <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span>. The <span class="dictionary">court</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">finding</span> shall be without prejudice to either the Commonwealth or the person charged and shall not be <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> in any proceeding, civil or criminal. At any <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> before the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, the person so charged or his <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> may appear. <a id="paragraph-282318" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-61.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> At any point following <span class="dictionary">indictment</span>, <span class="dictionary">arrest</span> by warrant, or service of a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> in the case of a juvenile of any <span class="dictionary">crime</span> involving sexual <span class="dictionary">assault</span> pursuant to this article or any <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> against children as prohibited by &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Crimes against nature; penalty" href="/18.2-361/">18.2-361</a>, <a class="law" title="Sexual intercourse by persons forbidden to marry; incest; penalties" href="/18.2-366/">18.2-366</a>, <a class="law" title="Taking indecent liberties with children; penalties" href="/18.2-370/">18.2-370</a>, and <a class="law" title="Taking indecent liberties with child by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalties" href="/18.2-370.1/">18.2-370.1</a>, the attorney for the Commonwealth may request after consultation with a <span class="dictionary">complaining witness</span>, or shall request upon the request of the <span class="dictionary">complaining witness</span>, and the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> to submit to diagnostic testing for <span class="dictionary">sexually transmitted infections</span> within 48 hours and any follow-up testing as may be medically appropriate. Any test conducted following <span class="dictionary">indictment</span>, <span class="dictionary">arrest</span> by warrant, or service of a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> shall be in addition to such tests as may have been conducted following <span class="dictionary">arrest</span> pursuant to subsection A.
			If the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> refuses to submit to testing or the competency of the person to consent to testing is at <span class="dictionary">issue</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> with <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the case shall hold a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>, in a manner as provided by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Examination of witnesses; assistance of counsel; evidentiary matters and remedies; power to adjourn case" href="/19.2-183/">19.2-183</a>, to determine whether there is <span class="dictionary">probable cause</span> that the <span class="dictionary">complaining witness</span> was exposed to body fluids of the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> in a manner that may, according to the then-current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmit a sexually transmitted infection. If the <span class="dictionary">court</span> finds <span class="dictionary">probable cause</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> to undergo testing for <span class="dictionary">sexually transmitted infections</span>. The <span class="dictionary">court</span> may enter such an <span class="dictionary">order</span> in the absence of the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> if the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> is represented at the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> by <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> or a <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span>. The <span class="dictionary">court</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">finding</span> shall be without prejudice to either the Commonwealth or the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> and shall not be <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> in any proceeding, civil or criminal. At any <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> before the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> or his <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> may appear. <a id="paragraph-282319" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-61.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any person who is subject to a testing <span class="dictionary">order</span> may <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> the <span class="dictionary">order</span> of the general district <span class="dictionary">court</span> to the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> of the same <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> within 10 days of receiving notice of the <span class="dictionary">order</span>. Any <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> conducted pursuant to this subsection shall be held <span class="dictionary">in camera</span> as soon as practicable. The record shall be <span class="dictionary">sealed</span>. The <span class="dictionary">order</span> of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall be final and nonappealable. <a id="paragraph-282320" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-61.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Confirmatory tests shall be conducted before any test result shall be determined to be positive. The results of the tests shall be confidential as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Health records privacy" href="/32.1-127.1_03/">32.1-127.1:03</a>; however, the entity that performed the test shall also disclose the results to any victim and offer appropriate counseling. The Department of Health shall conduct surveillance and investigation in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Surveillance and investigation" href="/32.1-39/">32.1-39</a>. <a id="paragraph-282321" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-61.1/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The results of such tests shall not be <span class="dictionary">admissible</span> as <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> in any criminal proceeding. No specimen obtained pursuant to this section shall be tested for any purpose other than for the purpose provided for in this section, nor shall the specimen or the results of any testing pursuant to this section be used for any purpose in any criminal matter or investigation. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute reversible error in any criminal case in which the specimen or results were used. <a id="paragraph-282322" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-61.1/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The cost of such tests shall be paid by the Commonwealth and taxed as part of the cost of such criminal proceedings. <a id="paragraph-282323" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-61.1/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> As used in this section, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">sexually transmitted infections</span>&#x201D; includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C viruses, and any other sexually transmittable disease required to be reported by the Board of Health pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="List and reports of diseases and dangerous microbes and pathogens" href="/32.1-35/">32.1-35</a>. <a id="paragraph-282324" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-61.1/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2023, cc. 680, 681.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
