Bill > HB2606

This bill establishes a five-year Domestic Violence Forensic Exam Pilot Program to be developed and implemented by the District Attorneys Council, contingent on available funding. The program aims to provide counties with qualified healthcare professionals who can conduct forensic medical examinations for domestic violence victims. The bill defines domestic violence broadly, including physical harm or threats between intimate partners or household members, and specifies that an "intimate partner" can include current or former spouses, dating partners, biological parents of the same child, and persons who have lived together intimately. A Domestic Violence Examination Fund will be created in participating counties, with the Crime Victims Compensation Board responsible for managing fund disbursements, limiting reimbursement to $200 per forensic exam. The pilot program is initially targeted at counties with populations over 300,000, though smaller counties may participate based on available funding. Qualified healthcare professionals must complete a 40-hour domestic violence examiners course and demonstrate clinical competence. The District Attorneys Council is authorized to transfer funds, make contracts, and execute documents necessary to implement the program, and the Legislature may also appropriate additional funds. The act is set to become effective on November 1, 2025, providing a structured approach to supporting domestic violence victims through specialized forensic medical examinations.

Justice

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2606&Session=2600