PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Coast Guard vessels must have a written plan before any scheduled trip that makes sure someone on board who says they were sexually assaulted can get a sexual assault forensic exam as soon as they ask. The exam must be handled with the same urgency as emergency medical care. The plan must cover things like the victim’s health, safety, and privacy; how to reach medical facilities and work with the Department of Defense if needed; aeromedical evacuation options; what the ship can do and the skills of medical staff onboard; working with law enforcement and keeping evidence safe; how to get an exam and care with a restricted report; availability of over‑the‑counter pregnancy prevention; and other military needs. The Commandant must send an annual report to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee showing how many exams were requested but not given within 3 days to alleged victims aboard a Coast Guard vessel.

Title 14, §564

Coast Guard, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Procedure.—

(1)In general.—

Before embarking on any prescheduled voyage, a Coast Guard vessel shall have in place a written operating procedure that ensures that an embarked victim of sexual assault shall have access to a sexual assault forensic examination—

(A)as soon as possible after the victim requests an examination; and

(B)that is treated with the same level of urgency as emergency medical care.

(2)Requirements.—

The written operating procedure required by paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, account for— (A)

(B)the proximity of ashore or afloat medical facilities, including coordination as necessary with the Department of Defense, including other military departments (as defined in section 101 of title 10);

(C)the availability of aeromedical evacuation;

(D)the operational capabilities of the vessel concerned;

(E)the qualifications of medical personnel onboard;

(F)coordination with law enforcement and the preservation of evidence;

(G)the means of accessing a sexual assault forensic examination and medical care with a restricted report of sexual assault;

(H)the availability of nonprescription pregnancy prophylactics; and

(I)other unique military considerations.

(b)Annual Report.—

The Commandant shall submit to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the House of Representatives and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee of the Senate a report containing the number of sexual assault forensic examinations that were requested by, but not administered within 3 days to, alleged victims of sexual assault when such victims were onboard a Coast Guard vessel.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification The text of section 11272(c)(5) of Pub. L. 117–263, formerly set out as a note under this section, which was transferred to this section and redesignated as subsec. (b) by Pub. L. 119–60, § 7269(a)(2), was based on Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, § 11272(c)(5), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4067, as amended by Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXII, § 7269(a)(1), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1745.

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 119–60, § 7269(c), struck out comma after “paragraph (1)”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 119–60, § 7269(a)(2), transferred section 11272(c)(5) of Pub. L. 117–263 to this section and redesignated it as subsec. (b). See Codification note above. Heading was editorially conformed to the style used for subsection headings in this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Annual Report Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, § 11272(c)(5), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4067, as amended by Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXII, § 7269(a)(1), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1745, formerly set out as a note under this section, was transferred to subsec. (b) of this section.

§564 Administration of Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Kits