Sexual assault forensic examination compensation, the official text

2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
LRB-5115/1
CMH:amn&cdc

2025 SENATE BILL 575
October 24, 2025 - Introduced by Senators Wanggaard and Spreitzer, cosponsored by Representatives Snyder, Behnke, Dittrich, Goodwin, Gundrum, Kitchens, McCarville, Melotik, Novak, Piwowarczyk, Sinicki, Stroud and Stubbs. Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

An Act to amend 949.20 (3) and 949.24 (3) of the statutes; relating to: sexual assault forensic examination compensation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law provides that a health care provider who conducts an examination to gather evidence regarding a sex offense may apply to the Department of Justice for an award to cover the costs of the examination. Under current law, the costs of the examination include the examination itself, any procedure during the examination that tests for or prevents a sexually transmitted disease, and medication provided or prescribed during the examination that prevents or treats a sexually transmitted disease. This bill adds the costs of a prophylaxis provided or prescribed during that examination that reduces the risk of or prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) if the person performing the examination believes that exposure to HIV could be a consequence of the sex offense.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 949.20 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
949.20 (3) “Examination costs” means the costs of an examination that is done
to gather evidence regarding a sex offense,; any procedure during that examination process that tests for or prevents a sexually transmitted disease,; a prophylaxis provided or prescribed, during that examination process, that reduces the risk of or prevents human immunodeficiency virus if the person performing the examination or procedure believes that exposure to human immunodeficiency virus could be a consequence of the sex offense; and any medication provided or prescribed, during that examination process, that prevents or treats a sexually transmitted disease that the person performing the examination or procedure believes could be a consequence of the sex offense. “Examination costs” does not include any processing or administrative costs, attorney fees, or other expenses.
Section 2. 949.24 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
949.24 (3) Medical records. An applicant shall submit to the department reports from any physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse who treated or examined the victim to gather evidence regarding a sex offense, performed any procedure during that treatment or examination that tests for or prevents a sexually transmitted disease, provided or prescribed a prophylaxis, or provided or prescribed any medication to prevent or treat a sexually transmitted disease. The applicant may not submit to the department any other records than those pertaining to the examination, treatment, procedure, prophylaxis, or medication for which the applicant is seeking an award.
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