Senate Resolution No. by Senator Mizell urges the Louisiana Department of Health and the attorney general to address the critical shortage of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE nurses) in the state. Currently, Louisiana has only 100 SANE nurses, with just 53 fully certified, which is insufficient to meet the needs of sexual assault survivors, particularly in rural areas. The resolution highlights the delays in care that survivors face, often waiting five to six hours for specialized support, and emphasizes the importance of having adequately trained professionals available to conduct forensic examinations and provide necessary medical care.

The resolution calls for a collaborative effort between the Louisiana Department of Health and the attorney general to assess the current sexual assault response plan and SANE nurse employment model. It seeks to identify opportunities to increase the number of SANE nurses and ensure sustainable access to their services, particularly in underserved regions. Additionally, it encourages the attorney general to pursue grant funding to support the coordination of SANE nurses statewide, thereby improving the response to sexual assault cases and ensuring timely care for survivors.