IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1575 
Expressing support for designating the week of November 4 through 
November 10, 2024, as ‘‘Forensic Nursing Week’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 15, 2024 
Ms. ROSS submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designating the week of November 
4 through November 10, 2024, as ‘‘Forensic Nursing Week’’. 
Whereas forensic nurses are registered or advanced practice 
nurses who— 
(1) have received specialized education and training 
to address the acute and long-term health consequences 
of patients seeking medical care after being impacted by 
violence; and 
(2) have specific expertise in the comprehensive 
medical forensic examination (MFE) and treatment of 
patients who have experienced sexual assault, intimate 
partner violence, child and elder maltreatment, human 
trafficking, and accidental as well as nonaccidental trau-
ma; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:07 Nov 15, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1575.IH
HR1575
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1575 IH 
Whereas forensic nurses are often the first health care pro-
fessionals to provide medical care to a victim of sexual 
violence and routinely coordinate the resources necessary 
for followup needs, including those involving law enforce-
ment reporting; 
Whereas patients impacted by violence, exploitation, trauma, 
and abuse— 
(1) experience acute and long-term health con-
sequences associated with that victimization; and 
(2) are more likely to experience depression, sub-
stance use, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other 
chronic conditions than the general population; 
Whereas early health care intervention immediately following 
acts of violence can lead to better long-term patient out-
comes as well as lower overall medical system costs; 
Whereas it is imperative that victims of sexual or intimate 
partner violence are guaranteed, through the Violence 
Against Women Act, access to comprehensive medical fo-
rensic examinations, which are specialized health care 
interventions that fully and promptly address the medical 
needs of patients experiencing physical harm; 
Whereas only approximately 25 percent of United States hos-
pitals have Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) on 
staff, demonstrating an emergency need to implement 
new programs authorized by the Violence Against Women 
Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 to increase patient ac-
cess to SANEs; 
Whereas the Department of Justice Office on Violence 
Against Women has published an updated National Pro-
tocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations: 
Adults/Adolescents and a new National Protocol for Inti-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:07 Nov 15, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1575.IH
HR1575
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1575 IH 
mate Partner Violence Medical Forensic Examinations, 
two critical resources that recognize health care pro-
viders’ pivotal role in enhancing public safety and facili-
tating survivor healing after acts of violence; 
Whereas forensic nurses are essential to America’s response 
to violence because they provide trauma-informed nursing 
care across the lifespan and in diverse practice settings; 
and 
Whereas forensic nursing has been formally recognized as a 
specialty practice area since 1995: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses support for the designation of 
‘‘Forensic Nursing Week’’; 
(2) acknowledges the commitment and vital 
contributions of forensic nurses to patient treatment 
and healing in the aftermath of violence; and 
(3) encourages policies and actions to protect 
communities from violence and support health care 
responses to sexual and physical assault. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:07 Nov 15, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR1575.IH
HR1575
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS