Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced that a new law designed to improve medical care for sexual assault survivors in Illinois will take effect on January 1. The law, Senate Bill 1602, was initiated by the Attorney General’s office and updates both the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA) and the Illinois Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program.
Senate Bill 1602 was introduced by Raoul and sponsored in the General Assembly by State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Kelly Cassidy. The legislation builds on recommendations from the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Services Implementation Task Force, which was created in 2018. This task force included members from the Attorney General’s office, the Illinois Department of Public Health, hospitals, healthcare providers, law enforcement officials, advocates, and legislators. Its final report last year incorporated feedback from over 40 stakeholders involved in supporting sexual assault survivors.
“Sexual assault survivors deserve care that is accessible, adheres to best practices to minimize additional trauma and contributes to justice being served in their cases,” Raoul said. “The Illinois SANE Program helps provide quality, trauma-informed, patient-centered care to individuals during what is often the worst moment of their lives. I thank the legislative sponsors for their work on this important new law, and I am committed to continuing to work to support survivors.”
The SANE Program was developed by the Attorney General’s office in 2003 with help from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault and funding from a grant provided by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Specially trained nurses known as SANEs are responsible for conducting medical forensic examinations for sexual assault survivors using evidence-based practices that reduce retraumatization and improve evidence collection.
Key provisions of SB 1602 include expanding training opportunities for nurse examiners at hospitals with pediatric transfer approval; clarifying that enforcement of SASETA falls under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Public Health; specifying requirements for treatment hospitals across different regions; outlining factors IDPH should consider regarding patient transfers; increasing access to follow-up care by allowing reimbursement for certain services at transfer hospitals; providing best practices for pediatric survivor care; clarifying consent procedures for pediatric evidence collection; and removing a sunset provision so out-of-state hospitals can continue participating in Illinois’ treatment plans.
SB 1602 received bipartisan support in the Legislature and was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in August. The new measures are part of ongoing efforts led by Raoul’s office to support victims of violent crime across Illinois.
The Attorney General’s Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division offers statewide programs aimed at helping victims recover. More information about available services or reporting violations can be found through the Attorney General’s Crime Victims Assistance Line or website.