§ 23–1908. Sexual assault victims' rights.

(a) In addition to the rights set forth in subchapter I of this chapter, a sexual assault victim shall have the right to have:

(1) A PERK performed at no cost;

(2) To have their PERK and any additional probative or evidentiary contents preserved, without charge, for 65 years from the date the crime is first reported to the law enforcement agency, as that term is defined in § 5-113.31(9);

(3) For sexual assault victims 18 years of age or older, a sexual assault victim advocate, and for sexual assault victims ages 13 to 17, a sexual assault youth victim advocate, present during any:

(A) Forensic medical, evidentiary, or physical examination;

(B) Point during the hospital visit; provided, that the presence of a sexual assault victim advocate or a sexual assault youth victim advocate does not pose health or safety risks to the sexual assault victim, the sexual assault victim advocate, or the sexual assault youth victim advocate; and

(C) Interview.

(b) A sexual assault victim shall have the rights provided in subsection (a)(3) of this section even if the sexual assault victim previously declined the presence of a sexual assault victim advocate or a sexual assault youth victim advocate.