During the 2020 Session of the Virginia General Assembly, policymakers enacted Article 14 of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 of the Code of Virginia, establishing the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Coordination Program at the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), effective July 1, 2020. The goals of the program, as outlined in Code of Virginia § 9.1-191, include developing and enhancing sexual assault forensic examiner programs across Virginia, establishing a partnership group to plan forensic nurse training, assisting with developing protocols and guidelines for the treatment of victims of sexual assault, and collecting and maintaining information on all available sexual assault forensic services in Virginia. The Sexual Assault Forensic Services Coordinator (Coordinator) at DCJS leads this program.

Code of Virginia § 9.1-191 also requires that the “Coordinator shall report annually on or before October 1 to the Governor and the General Assembly. The report shall include a summary of activities for the year and any recommendations to address sexual assault exams within the Commonwealth, including budget needs to increase the availability of sexual assault exam services across the Commonwealth."