Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Bill Advances in Oklahoma
- mike33692
- 1 hour ago
- 1 min read
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Bill Advances
A measure to continue and strengthen the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner bill is moving forward at the State Capitol.
The proposal would keep a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner coordinator within the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council to help manage the statewide program.
Supporters say the role helps coordinate trained nurses who provide medical care to victims and collect forensic evidence that can later be used in criminal prosecutions.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Bill Aims to Improve Oversight
Supporters say the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner bill would provide centralized oversight for the program, something that currently does not exist statewide.
Officials with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation report that more than 2,000 rapes were reported in Oklahoma in 2020, with about 160 arrests made in those cases.
Advocates say the coordinated nurse examiner program is critical for supporting victims and preserving evidence for investigators.
Bill Moves to State Senate
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner bill has now advanced in the Oklahoma Legislature and will move to the Oklahoma State Senate for further consideration.
Supporters say the measure would strengthen support services for victims while improving the collection of evidence used in court.
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