Commission on the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations

Minutes of the Meeting of May 15, 2017
Office of the Chief State's Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Attendance: Maureen Platt, Chair, Linda Cimino, Denise Covington Brian Narkewicz, Laura Cordes, Jillian Gilchrest, Kristin Loranger and Monica Ponzello

The meeting was called to order at 3:10 p.m.

There was a discussion about the rate of compensation which is provided to health care facilities for matters related to the collection of evidence in sexual assault investigations.

Laura Cordes made the following motion which was seconded by Brian Narkewicz:

1. All bills received from Hospitals related to the collection of evidence for adult patients from May 15 to June 30, 2017, are reimbursed at the rate of $900.00;

2. Hospitals will receive a $150.00 adjustment for each bill paid related to the collection of evidence for adult patient reimbursement from October 1, 2016, to May 12, 2017;

3. Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, St. Francis Greater Hartford CAC, and Yale Child Sexual Abuse Clinic will receive an adjustment for each patient evaluated for a forensic assessment, based on the year end fund balance and total patients reimbursed for each provider as of July 16, 2017; and

4. The State Fiscal Year 2017-2018 not to exceed reimbursement rates are as follows:

   1. Evidence collection (adults)-$900.00

   2. Forensic exams-$400.00

   3. Forensic interviews-$250.00

   4. Colposcopy-$175.00

   5. Labs-$75.00

This motion passed unanimously.

Various proposed changes to the Technical guidelines were discussed. It was decided that Denise Covington will incorporate the suggestions of the group and prepare a revised copy of the guidelines. Denise then agreed to send Chairperson Maureen Platt this document before June 9, 2017 so that it could be emailed to all members of the Commission for review prior to the June 19, 2017 meeting. It was decided that members could then make any further suggested changes by email to the membership, and Denise could again revise the document prior to the June meeting. Commission members expressed the urgent hope that the membership might be able to vote on the proposed changes to the Guidelines at the June meeting so that the new CT-100 kits could be ordered this summer.

Laura Cordes suggested that the group should consider suggesting legislative changes for next year’s session.

Laura Cordes also reported that the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence has obtained funding to revise the DVD which explains the evidence collection process titled, “Introduction to Sexual Assault Forensic Exams and Evidence Collection in Connecticut.”

Brian Narkewicz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:33 pm which was seconded by Linda Cimino.