Pinellas County commissioners have voted unanimously to end an annual agreement with Suncoast Center for sexual assault examinations, with the non-profit’s forensic services due to stop on 31 December 2026. The decision means hospitals across the Florida county are expected to take on responsibility for conducting the examinations from 1 January 2027. ([fox13news.com](https://www.fox13news.com/news/sexual-assault-exams-pinellas-county-ends-suncoast-center-agreement))
The county has paid Suncoast roughly $180,000 a year for the service, which it has provided to residents for the past 16 years. Suncoast said it had been using its own operating funds to cover a wider shortfall of about $610,000.
The vote followed concerns raised during a 13 October commission meeting about an alleged backlog of rape kits and previous quality issues. County officials said Suncoast had been placed on a corrective action plan, but Karen Yatchum, the county’s human services director, told commissioners the organisation was fully compliant with the requirements imposed on it.
Suncoast chief executive Jean Pierre said the organisation had addressed the problems and had brought in a nursing consultant who found no outstanding concerns. She said the centre had carried out 22 sexual assault examinations across the county during the previous month.
Hospitals expected to provide sexual assault examinations
Under Florida law, licensed facilities with emergency departments must arrange medical treatment for sexual assault victims, including the collection of forensic evidence and the training of staff to provide the service. ([leg.state.fl.us](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399%2F0395%2FSections%2F0395.1021.html&utm_source=openai))
Ms Yatchum said letters had been sent to the chief executives of local hospital systems in July, followed by meetings with hospital leaders. Pinellas County has about 15 hospitals, and officials estimated it would cost around $40,000 a year from each hospital to help Suncoast continue the work, rather than requiring every emergency department to build its own full programme.
Suncoast said it had already begun working with hospitals and other community partners on a transition to emergency departments. It will continue providing its 24-hour helpline, advocacy, accompaniment, mental health treatment and counselling after the forensic examination service moves.
The county said discussions were continuing with hospitals, Suncoast and the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence to ensure services remain available without interruption. A county meeting record confirms that the commission approved termination of the agreement. ([pinellas.legistar.com](https://pinellas.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?GUID=2E944809-23F9-4957-9203-3D3D1E17FD96&ID=1343043&Options=info%7C&Search=&utm_source=openai))
The proposed change has also prompted concern among law enforcement agencies. Officials told commissioners that moving examinations from one central facility to multiple hospitals could complicate investigations and the collection of evidence.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said its priority was to ensure survivors received appropriate care while evidence was collected effectively to support prosecutions. It called for a permanent funding arrangement that would provide examinations in a compassionate setting.
BayCare said its hospitals would continue providing services required under Florida law and was working with local partners to understand the transition. AdventHealth said it was reviewing the matter, while Orlando Health said it was considering the potential implications.
