sexual assault survivors; rights

HB 2717 establishes new rights for sexual assault survivors in Arizona, directly affecting individuals reporting sexual assault and the medical/legal professionals who interact with them. The bill creates confidentiality for communications between survivors and sexual assault victim advocates (requiring advocates to complete 30 hours of training), prohibits charging survivors for medical exams, and guarantees survivors the right to consult an advocate during medical exams or police interviews. It also mandates that survivors be informed of their rights in writing before exams or interviews, restricts the use of sexual assault kits against survivors for unrelated offenses, and requires medical providers to notify law enforcement within 48 hours of collecting evidence. The law aims to protect survivors' privacy and ensure they receive support during sensitive medical and legal processes.