SANE Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 602

119th Congress

SANE Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 22, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Tim Burchett

Representative

Republican

TN-2

Cosponsors

9

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

The SANE Act requires every VA hospital and urgent care facility to employ a sexual assault nurse examiner or qualified provider for forensic examinations. It mandates verbal referrals to mental health services for assault survivors.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The SANE Act requires every VA hospital and urgent care facility to employ a sexual assault nurse examiner or qualified provider for forensic examinations. It mandates verbal referrals to mental health services for assault survivors.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in VA Hospitals Act of 2025 or the SANE Act of 2025This 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.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires sexual assault examiners at VA hospitals
Covers VA urgent care facilities
Mandates mental health referrals
Allows community care if VA wait exceeds 30 days
Protects existing patient care staffing

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Veterans who experience sexual assault would have access to qualified examiners at all VA facilities. Mental health follow-up would be ensured for survivors. VA staffing for sexual assault care would be standardized.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Subjects

Assault and harassment offenses

Health care coverage and access

Health personnel

Mental health

Sex offenses

Veterans' medical care

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

602, 119th Congress (2025). "SANE Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-602