SECTION 32.1-162.15.6. (Effective July 1, 2023) Services for pediatric survivors of sexual assault; plan required  

A. A pediatric health care facility may provide treatment services or transfer services to pediatric survivors of sexual assault in accordance with a pediatric sexual assault survivor treatment plan or pediatric sexual assault survivor transfer plan approved by the Department. No pediatric health care facility shall provide pediatric sexual assault treatment or transfer services to a pediatric survivor of sexual assault unless a pediatric sexual assault survivor treatment plan for the pediatric health care facility has been approved by the Department.

B. A pediatric health care facility wishing to provide pediatric sexual assault survivor treatment services shall submit a pediatric sexual assault survivor treatment plan to the Department. The Board shall adopt regulations to establish standards for the review and approval of pediatric sexual assault survivor treatment plans, which shall include provisions for the delivery of treatment services described in § 32.1-162.15:4 .

In cases in which the pediatric health care facility is not able to provide the full range of treatment services required by § 32.1-162.15:4 , the plan shall include (i) the specific treatment services that the pediatric health care facility will provide for pediatric survivors of sexual assault; (ii) provisions for transfer services required by § 32.1-162.15:4 for pediatric survivors of sexual assault for whom treatment services are not provided by the pediatric health care facility; (iii) the written agreement of a treatment hospital to accept transfer of pediatric survivors of sexual assault for whom treatment services are not provided by the pediatric health care facility; and (iv) if the pediatric health care facility does not provide services 24 hours per day, seven days per week, provisions to inform the public regarding the need to seek an alternative source of treatment, including emergency medical services, which may include requirements for appropriate signage.

C. A pediatric health care facility wishing to provide pediatric sexual assault survivor transfer services shall submit a pediatric sexual assault survivor transfer plan to the Department. The Board shall adopt regulations to establish standards for review and approval of pediatric sexual assault survivor transfer plans, which shall include provisions for (i) the delivery of sexual assault survivor transfer services in accordance with the requirements of § 32.1-162.15:4 and (ii) the written agreement of a treatment hospital to accept transfer of pediatric survivors of sexual assault.

D. Pediatric sexual assault survivor treatment plans and pediatric sexual assault survivor transfer plans shall be submitted in a form and in accordance with procedures specified by the Board. The Department shall approve or deny such plans, in writing, within 30 days of receipt of such plans. If the Department denies a plan submitted pursuant to this section, the Department shall provide the hospital with a written statement setting forth the reasons for such denial.

2020, c. 32.1-162.15:4 .