Sec. 612. Administration of sexual assault forensic examination kits
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Subchapter IV of chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Before embarking on any prescheduled voyage, a Coast Guard vessel shall have in place a written operating procedure that ensures that an embarked victim of sexual assault shall have access to a sexual assault forensic examination— as soon as possible after the victim requests an examination; and that is treated with the same level of urgency as emergency medical care. The written operating procedure required by paragraph (1), shall, at a minimum, account for— the health, safety, and privacy of a victim of sexual assault; the proximity of ashore or afloat medical facilities, including coordination as necessary with the Department of Defense, including other military departments (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code); the availability of aeromedical evacuation; the operational capabilities of the vessel concerned; the qualifications of medical personnel onboard; coordination with law enforcement and the preservation of evidence; the means of accessing a sexual assault forensic examination and medical care with a restricted report of sexual assault; the availability of nonprescription pregnancy prophylactics; and other unique military considerations. .
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy of Sciences shall conduct a study to assess the feasibility of the development of a self-administered sexual assault forensic examination for use by victims of sexual assault onboard a vessel at sea. The study under paragraph
(1)shall— take into account— the safety and security of the alleged victim of sexual assault; the ability to properly identify, document, and preserve any evidence relevant to the allegation of sexual assault; and the applicable criminal procedural laws relating to authenticity, relevance, preservation of evidence, chain of custody, and any other matter relating to evidentiary admissibility; and provide any appropriate recommendation for changes to existing laws, regulations, or employer policies. Upon completion of the study under paragraph (1), the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating a report on the findings of the study. The analysis for subchapter IV of chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 564. Administration of sexual assault forensic examination kits. .