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 trained SANE nurses conduct forensic medical examinations to ensure timely and comprehensive 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 encourages the identification of strategies to increase the number of SANE nurses and improve access to their services, especially in underserved regions. Additionally, it suggests that the attorney general seek grant funding to support the coordination of SANE nurse services statewide. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and the attorney general to facilitate these efforts.