Committee defers bill to require hospitals to offer forensic sexual-assault exams as lawmakers and providers discuss staffing and coverage

House Bill 531, sponsored by Representative Travis Johnson, would require a health-care facility or hospital to offer forensic medical examinations to sexual-assault survivors. The committee heard extended testimony and then voluntarily deferred the measure to allow further work with stakeholders.

Representative Johnson said the bill is intended to prevent survivors from being turned away when they present to an emergency department and to ensure hospitals either provide a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) or have a protocol — including telehealth — to ensure the exam and evidence collection are performed in a timely manner.

Witnesses described significant capacity constraints. Monica Taylor of the Governor's Office of Human Trafficking Prevention testified that Louisiana currently has 52 SANE nurses licensed statewide and that fewer than 30 are actively practicing; she said there are only about 10 pediatric SANEs. Local law-enforcement and coroner representatives described operational models in which coroners or regional centers organize SANE coverage for multiple hospitals and said rural areas often lack consistent coverage.

Physicians, hospital representatives and sheriffs urged coordination with the Department of Health and regional planning. Committee members encouraged the sponsor to work with LDH, coroners, hospital associations and advocacy groups before the bill returns; Representative Johnson volunteered to defer the bill, and the committee agreed to do so.

Next steps: Sponsor and stakeholders will work on implementation details — including regional coverage, telehealth and certification — before the bill is returned to committee.