Texas Senate Bill SB1570

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the care and transportation provided to a sexual assault survivor by a health care facility.

Impact

The bill amends the Texas Health and Safety Code by adding provisions to enhance the treatment of sexual assault survivors. Notably, it requires non-SAFE-ready facilities to inform survivors about their status and the nearest SAFE-ready facility. Furthermore, these facilities must develop and submit a transportation plan, ensuring the survivor's transfer to a designated SAFE-ready facility is executed in a manner that maintains confidentiality and minimizes trauma. Such measures are expected to create a more uniform approach to handling sexual assault cases, thereby improving the overall support system for victims across the state.

Summary

SB1570 aims to improve the care and transportation provided to sexual assault survivors by health care facilities. Under this bill, a new designation of 'SAFE-ready facility' is created, which refers to health care facilities that are equipped to provide forensic medical examinations on a 24/7 basis. This designation requires the facility to employ a certified sexual assault nurse examiner or specially trained physician. The implementation of this legislation is aimed at ensuring that survivors receive prompt and adequate medical care, which is crucial for both their health and the preservation of forensic evidence.

Contention

While the bill is largely supported due to its focus on enhancing survivor care and ensuring proper medical protocol, there may be concerns regarding the availability of resources and training for the healthcare facilities designated as SAFE-ready. Critics might argue whether an adequate number of facilities can meet the required standards and whether sufficient funding will be allocated to support these changes. There is also a potential contention around the logistics of transportation planning and whether these measures can be uniformly implemented across diverse communities, particularly in rural areas.