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, the attorney general, and various stakeholders to identify strategies for increasing the number of SANE nurses and improving access to their services. It also requests an assessment of the current sexual assault response plan and SANE nurse employment model to find opportunities for enhancement and sustainability of these critical services. Additionally, the attorney general is encouraged to seek grant funding to support the statewide coordination of SANE nurses, ensuring that survivors receive timely and appropriate care.