Military SAFE Standards Act

To establish eligibility, assignment, training, and certification requirements for sexual assault forensic examiners for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Military SAFE Standards Act 2. Requirements relating to sexual assault forensic examiners for the Armed Forces (a) Personnel eligible for assignment (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), the individuals who may be assigned to duty as a sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) for the Armed Forces shall be members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security who are as follows: (A) Physicians. (B) Nurse practitioners. (C) Nurse midwives. (D) Physician assistants. (E) Registered nurses. (2) Independent duty corpsmen An independent duty corpsman or equivalent may be assigned to duty as a sexual assault forensic examiner for the Armed Forces if the assignment of an individual specified in paragraph (1) is impracticable. (b) Availability of examiners (1) In general The Secretary concerned shall ensure the availability of an adequate number of sexual assault forensic examiners for the Armed Forces through the following: (A) Assignment of at least one sexual assault forensic examiner at each military medical treatment facility under the jurisdiction of such Secretary, whether in the United States or overseas. (B) If assignment as described in subparagraph (A) is infeasible or impracticable, entry into agreements with facilities, whether Governmental or otherwise, with appropriate resources for the provision of sexual assault forensic examinations, for the provision of sexual assault forensic examinations for the Armed Forces. (2) Naval vessels The Secretary concerned shall ensure the availability of an adequate number of sexual assault forensic examiners for naval vessels through the assignment of at least one sexual assault forensic examiner for each naval vessel. (c) Training and certification (1) In general The Secretary concerned shall establish and maintain, and update when appropriate, a training and certification program for sexual assault forensic examiners under the jurisdiction of such Secretary. The training and certification programs shall apply uniformly to all sexual assault forensic examiners under the jurisdiction of the Secretaries. (2) Elements Each training and certification program under this subsection shall include the following: (A) Training in sexual assault forensic examinations by qualified personnel who possess— (i) a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner—adolescent/adult (SANE–A) certification or equivalent certification; or (ii) training and clinical or forensic experience in sexual assault forensic examinations similar to that required for a certification described in clause (i). (B) A minimum of 40 hours of coursework for participants in sexual assault forensic examinations of adults and adolescents. (C) Ongoing examinations and evaluations on sexual assault forensic examinations. (D) Clinical mentoring. (E) Continuing education. (3) Nature of training The training provided under each training and certification program under this subsection shall incorporate and reflect current best practices and standards on sexual assault forensic examinations. (4) Applicability of training requirements An individual may not be assigned to duty as a sexual assault forensic examiner for the Armed Forces after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act unless the individual has completed all training required under the training and certification program under this subsection at the time of assignment. (5) Sense of Congress on certification It is the sense of Congress that each participant who successfully completes all training required under the certification and training program under this subsection should obtain a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner—adolescent/adult certification or equivalent certification by not later than five years after completion of such training. (6) Examiners under agreements Any individual providing sexual assault forensic examinations for the Armed Forces under an agreement under subsection (b)(1)(B) shall possess training and experience equivalent to the training and experience required under the training and certification program under this subsection. (d) Secretary concerned defined In this section, the term Secretary concerned (1) the Secretary of Defense with respect to matters concerning the Department of Defense; and (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to matters concerning the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy. (e) Repeal of superseded requirements Section 1725 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 ( Public Law 113–66 10 U.S.C. 1561

Summary: Military SAFE Standards Act - Requires sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFEs) for the Armed Forces to be members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the Department of Defense (DOD) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who are physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, physician assistants, or registered nurses. Permits an independent duty corpsman or equivalent to be assigned as a SAFE if the assignment of such a physician, assistant, or nurse is impracticable. Directs the DOD and DHS Secretaries to: (1) assign at least one SAFE at each military medical treatment facility in the United States and overseas; or (2) enter into agreements with facilities with appropriate resources for the provision of sexual assault forensic examinations for the Armed Forces. Requires at least one SAFE to be assigned to each naval vessel. Requires the Secretary concerned to establish a SAFE certification program that includes training in sexual assault forensic examinations.