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Committee adopts measures to expand trauma-informed care and protocols for SANE nurses and human-trafficking victims
Summary
The committee adopted amendments creating a task force and requiring regional protocol updates so emergency departments can better identify and treat victims of human trafficking and improve access to forensic medical exams; members also approved an audit of SANE programs.
The House Committee on Health and Welfare on May 14 adopted amendments and reported favorable bills aimed at improving forensic medical exams and emergency responses for victims of human trafficking and ****** assault.
Representative Miller presented HB 359, which the committee amended to remove aggressive involuntary-hold language and instead require emergency department physicians to consult certified sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) when trafficking is suspected and to participate in a task force to develop model emergency-department protocols. “There is roughly just over 50 people in the state of Louisiana who are certified as SANE…there's roughly about 30 of them that are practicing,” Monica Taylor, director of the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, told the committee.
Members also considered HB 531, which requires healthcare facilities to offer forensic medical examinations to ****** assault survivors and, in amendments, directs the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to conduct audits of SANE programs, regional plans and funding for forensic services. Representative Travis Johnson said the audit will provide data to determine funding needs and make services more uniform.
Committee discussion acknowledged workforce shortages and funding gaps. Taylor said payment rules affect provider availability: SANE examiners typically get paid through crime victim reparations only when they perform exams, which limits capacity. Mindy Escuday, a SANE coordinator, urged that SANE programs be included in planning and warned against unfunded mandates: “We just ask that we're at the table when these conversations are heard because we function very differently than most states.”
Outcomes: The committee adopted the amendment set for HB 359 and reported the bill favorable; Representative Fisher moved HB 359 with amendments and the committee recorded no objections. HB 531 was also reported favorable with amendments directing the Legislative Auditor to audit SANE programs and regional plans. Sponsor and administration witnesses said the measures create a collaborative, regional approach rather than new compulsory reporting obligations.
Next steps: Sponsors said they will work with stakeholders to use audit results and the task force findings to identify funding and workforce solutions.
