1. (a) As used in this section, "board" refers to the sexual assault victim advocate standards and certification board established by subsection (e).
2. (b) As used in this section, "division" refers to the victim services division of the Indiana criminal justice institute.
3. (c) As used in this section, "rape crisis center" means an organization that provides a full continuum of services, including hotlines, victim advocacy, and support services from the onset of the need for services through the completion of healing, to victims of sexual assault.

4. (d) As used in this section, "trauma informed sexual assault services" refers to:

   1. (1) victim centered care;
   2. (2) acute medical care; or

   3. (3) forensic medical services;

      provided by advanced medical providers for trauma sustained as a result of sexual assault. Trauma informed sexual assault services address the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of sexual assault victims for the duration of their lifespan.

5. (e) The sexual assault victim advocate standards and certification board is established. The board consists of the following twelve (12) members appointed by the governor:

   1. (1) A member recommended by the prosecuting attorneys council of Indiana.
   2. (2) A member from law enforcement.
   3. (3) A member representing a rape crisis center.
   4. (4) A member recommended by a statewide nonprofit sexual assault coalition as designated by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under 42 U.S.C. 280 et seq.
   5. (5) A member representing mental health professionals.
   6. (6) A member representing hospital administration.
   7. (7) A member who is a health care professional (as defined in IC 16-27-1-1 ) qualified in forensic evidence collection and recommended by the Indiana chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
   8. (8) A member who is an employee of the Indiana criminal justice institute.
   9. (9) A member who is a survivor of sexual violence.
   10. (10) A member who is a physician (as defined in IC 25-22.5-1-1.1 ) with experience in examining sexually abused children.
   11. (11) A member who is an employee of the office of the secretary of family and social services.
   12. (12) A member who is an employee of the state department of health, office of women's health.
6. (f) Members of the board serve a four (4) year term. Not more than seven (7) members appointed under subsection (e) may be of the same political party.
7. (g) The board shall meet at the call of the chairperson. Seven (7) members of the board constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote of at least seven (7) members of the board is required for the board to take any official action.

8. (h) The board shall:

   1. (1) develop standards for certification as a sexual assault victim advocate;
   2. (2) set fees that cover the costs for the certification process;
   3. (3) adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this section; and
   4. (4) certify sexual assault victim advocates to provide advocacy services.
9. (i) Members of the board may not receive a salary per diem. Members of the board are entitled to receive reimbursement for mileage for attendance at meetings. Any other funding for the board is paid at the discretion of the director of the office of management and budget.

10. (j) The sexual assault victims assistance fund is established within the state general fund. The division shall administer the fund to provide financial assistance for any of the following:

    1. (1) To establish and maintain rape crisis centers.
    2. (2) The enhancement of services provided by existing rape crisis centers.
    3. (3) The development, implementation, and expansion of trauma informed sexual assault services.

11. (k) Money in the fund shall be distributed by the division. Before making a distribution, the division shall seek direction from a statewide nonprofit sexual assault coalition as designated by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under 42 U.S.C. 280 et seq. If no statewide nonprofit sexual assault coalition exists, the division may make distributions without seeking direction. The fund consists of:

    1. (1) amounts transferred to the fund from sexual assault victims assistance fees collected under IC 33-37-5-23 ;
    2. (2) appropriations to the fund from other sources;
    3. (3) fees collected for certification by the board;
    4. (4) grants, gifts, and donations intended for deposit in the fund; and
    5. (5) interest accruing from the money in the fund.
12. (l) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund. The division may designate ten percent (10%) of the appropriation made each year to the statewide nonprofit sexual assault coalition as designated by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for program administration. The division may not use more than ten percent (10%) of the money collected from certification fees to administer the certification program.
13. (m) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public money may be invested.
14. (n) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.
15. (o) The governor shall appoint a member of the commission each year to serve a one (1) year term as chairperson of the board.

As added by P.L.104-2008, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.1-2009, SEC.15; P.L.7-2015, SEC.4; P.L.77-2016, SEC.1.