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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 2Ch. 2Art. 3§ 1281 Sexual Assault Hospital Standards

§ 1281 Sexual Assault Hospital Standards

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1281 Sexual Assault Hospital Standards

Key Takeaways

  • •Hospitals must follow special rules to help people who have been sexually assaulted, including kids.
  • •If a hospital can't follow these rules, they must send the person to another hospital that can.
  • •The hospital must tell the police, the district attorney, and groups that help victims about their plan.

Example

A person goes to a small hospital after being sexually assaulted.

If the small hospital doesn't have the right tools or trained staff to help, they must quickly send the person to a bigger hospital that does. They also have to tell the police and victim support groups about their plan to send patients elsewhere.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1281 Sexual Assault Hospital Standards

All public and private general acute care hospitals either shall comply with the standards for the examination and treatment of victims of sexual assault and attempted sexual assault, including child sexual abuse, and the collection and preservation of evidence therefrom, specified in Section 13823.11 of the Penal Code, and the protocol and guidelines therefor established pursuant to Section 13823.5 of the Penal Code, or they shall adopt a protocol for the immediate referral of these victims to a local hospital that so complies, and shall notify local law enforcement agencies, the district attorney, and local victim assistance agencies of the adoption of the referral protocol. (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 714, Sec. 1. (AB 538) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

adoptiontreatmentenforcementhospitalportpenal codeevidenceexamination

Related Statutes

  • § 1283 Minor Custody Release Rules
  • § 125286.15 Hemophilia And Von Willebrand Disease
  • § 127371 Health Equity Definitions
  • § 127372 Hospital Equity Reporting Requirements
  • § 127374 Hospital Equity Report Compliance

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 1281.
View Official Source