This bill amends Louisiana law to enhance the response to sexual assault cases by establishing a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) coordinator and creating a subcommittee within the Louisiana Sexual Assault Oversight Commission. The SANE coordinator will oversee mobile SANE teams and ensure that survivors receive timely and high-quality care, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The bill also introduces new definitions for sexual assault collection kits, differentiating between reported and unreported kits, and mandates annual reporting requirements for criminal justice agencies and crime laboratories. It emphasizes the need for collaboration among law enforcement, healthcare providers, and the SANE coordinator to improve evidence handling and tracking.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific provisions to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors during forensic examinations. It mandates that survivors be examined in private by qualified healthcare providers, with the option of having an advocate present. The bill ensures that survivors are not billed for forensic medical examinations, requiring healthcare providers to seek reimbursement from the Crime Victims' Compensation Board instead. It also establishes protocols for the secure storage of unreported sexual assault collection kits for twenty years and clarifies survivors' rights regarding the documentation of their examinations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of the state's response to sexual assault and improve support for survivors.

Statutes affected:
HB1247 Original: 15:5624(A)(1), 44:1(B)(27)
HB1247 Engrossed: 15:624(A)(1), 44:1(B)(27)
HB1247 Reengrossed: 15:624(A)(1), 44:1(B)(27)
HB1247 Re-Reengrossed: 15:622(A), 15:624(A)(1), 15:1(B)(2), 44:1(B)(27), 46:1842
HB1247 Enrolled: 15:622(A), 15:624(A)(1), 15:1(B)(2), 40:1(H), 44:1(B)(27), 46:1842
HB1247 Act 724: 15:622(A), 15:624(A)(1), 15:1(B)(2), 40:1(H), 44:1(B)(27), 46:1842