H.R. 602 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Jan 22, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryVA hospitals must have sexual assault examiners
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to make sure each of its hospitals and urgent care facilities has at least one staff member trained to conduct sexual assault forensic examinations. After examining a veteran, the provider must also refer them to mental health care services, either through the VA or through community providers if the VA's wait time is longer than 30 days.
How it affects you
Veterans who experience sexual assault and seek care at a VA hospital or urgent care facility would have access to trained examiners and mental health support as part of their treatment. The bill ensures this care is available without reducing other services veterans receive.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 22, 2025)
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in VA Hospitals Act of 2025 or the SANE Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to employ at each of its hospitals and urgent care facilities at least one sexual assault nurse examiner or a health care provider who is qualified to conduct a sexual assault forensic examination.
The bill also provides that after examining an individual for sexual assault, a VA health care provider must verbally refer the individual to mental health care services furnished by the VA in a VA hospital or by a non-VA provider under the Veterans Community Care Program if the wait time for services at a VA hospital exceeds 30 days.
In providing such duties related to sexual assault care, the VA must ensure that there is no reduction in, or negative effect on, the patient care responsibilities otherwise carried out by its employees.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 602
A BILL
SANE Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-2) · Introduced Jan 22, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 4, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.”