Review of State Sexual Assault Laws, 1997



State

Rape Shield Law

Sex Offender Register

Offender AIDS Testing

Medical Exam Costs

Evidence

Protocol/ Kit



Training

Rape/Victim Counselor Privilege



Other Laws
AL Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes  
AK Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Training for health care providers
AZ No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes  
AR Yes Yes   Yes? No No No  
CA Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Detailed requirements for medical exam

Medical staff training provided by two centers

Victim of rape has right to have advocate present at interviews or exams

Request to use condom not consent

Statewide sex offender investigative & prosecution forces for repeat offenders
CO Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Polygraph of victim barred
CT Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Health care staff training

Educational materials on AIDS for sex assault victims

Polygraph of victim barred
DE Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No  
DC Yes Yes Yes No No No No  
FL Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Request to use condom not consent
GA Yes Yes No Yes No No No Police, courts, & welfare staff must provide information on rape victims rights when they suspect a rape occurred
HI Yes Yes No No No No Yes  
ID Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No  
IL Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Hospital exam protocol

Lie detector test of victim requirement barred
IN Yes Yes Yes Yes (fn) No No Yes  
IA Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Polygraph requirement of victim barred
KS Yes Yes Yes (fn) Yes Yes No No  
KY Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Hospital exam protocol

Sexual assault nurse examiner program
LA Yes Yes Yes No No No No Hospitals must treat and preserve evidence regardless of whether reported to police

State-owned hospitals must have rape crisis treatment programs
ME Yes Yes Yes Yes (fn) Yes No Yes  
MD Yes No Yes Yes   Yes   Higher education written policies
MA Yes Yes No Yes (fn) Yes Yes Yes Rape reporting and prosecution unit in all police agencies; must widely publicize special unit telephone number
MI Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes  
MN Yes Yes Yes Yes (fn) No No No  
MS Yes Yes Yes Yes (fn) No No No  
MO Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No State Center for Prevention and Control of Sexual Assault (research, hot-line)
MT Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Failure of prompt complaint not relevant to credibility
NE Yes Yes Yes Yes (fn) No No No  
NV Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No  
NH Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No  
NJ Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Campus sexual assault victim's rights act

Sex assault prevention education program

Victims information booklet includes rape services
NM Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes  
NY Yes Yes Yes No No Yes (DA) Yes Hospital rape exam protocol
NC Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No  
ND Yes Yes Yes No No No No  
OH Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Limited (fn) Hospital rape exam protocol
OK Yes Yes No Yes No No No 24-hour rape hot-line

Police must provide rights act information & hot-line number

Police must not discourage filing of rape charges
OR Yes Yes Yes Yes No No   Polygraph requirement of victim barred
PA Yes Yes Yes Yes (fn) No No Yes Hospital staff training

Prompt complaint not required
RI Yes Yes Yes No (fn) No No No No statute of limitations on rape
SC Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No  
SD Yes Yes Yes Yes (fn) No No No  
TN Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No  
TX Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes  
UT No Yes Yes No No No Yes  
VT Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes  
VA Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Prompt complaint admissible as corroborating evidence
WA Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes  
WV Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No  
WI Yes Yes Yes No No No No University student orientation includes sex assault information

Lie detector program for sex offenders in community
WY Yes Yes Yes Yes (fn) Yes No Yes