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HLS 26RS-264 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 182
BY REPRESENTATIVES TRAVIS JOHNSON AND ECHOLS
NURSES: Provides relative to victims of sexual assault
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 40:1216.1(A)(introductory paragraph) and (H)(3) and to enact
3 R.S. 40:1216.1(H)(8), relative to examinations of victims of sexual assault; to require
4 the presence of a qualified healthcare professional; to provide for definitions; to
5 provide for duties of hospitals and healthcare providers; and to provide for related
6 matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 40:1216.1(A)(introductory paragraph) and (H)(3) are hereby
9 amended and reenacted and R.S. 40:1216.1(H)(8) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 §1216.1. Procedures for survivors of a sexually oriented criminal offense;
11 immunity; regional plans; maximum allowable costs; definitions; documents
12 requested by victim
13 A. All licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana shall offer
14 every sexual assault survivor information to receive the treatment provided for in this
15 Section. All licensed hospitals with an emergency department shall maintain and
16 make available a qualified healthcare professional to provide treatment and forensic
17 examinations to victims of sexual assault during the emergency department's hours
18 of operation. A licensed hospital or healthcare provider shall adhere to the following
19 procedures if a person presents for treatment as a sexual assault survivor:
20 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-264 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 182
1 H. For purposes of this Section the following definitions apply:
2 * * *
3 (3) "Healthcare provider" means either of the following: a facility or
4 institution providing healthcare services including but not limited to a hospital or
5 other licensed inpatient center; ambulatory surgical or treatment center; skilled
6 nursing facility; inpatient hospice facility; residential treatment center; diagnostic,
7 laboratory, or imaging center; or rehabilitation or other therapeutic health setting.
8 (a) A physician, sexual assault nurse examiner, or other healthcare
9 practitioner licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized and trained to
10 perform a forensic medical examination.
11 (b) A facility or institution providing healthcare services, including but not
12 limited to a hospital or other licensed inpatient center; ambulatory surgical or
13 treatment center; skilled nursing facility; inpatient hospice facility; residential
14 treatment center; diagnostic, laboratory, or imaging center; or rehabilitation or other
15 therapeutic health setting.
16 * * *
17 (8) "Qualified healthcare professional" means a physician, sexual assault
18 nurse examiner, or other healthcare practitioner licensed, certified, registered, or
19 otherwise authorized and trained to perform a forensic medical examination. This
20 may be accomplished through an agreement with a parish or regional sexual assault
21 nurse examiner program, an on call sexual assault nurse examiner employed or
22 contracted by the hospital, or a physician or medical provider with documented
23 training and proficiency on the performance of a forensic medical examination.
24 Section 2. This Act shall become effective on August 1, 2028.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-264 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 182
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 182 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Travis Johnson
Abstract: Requires a healthcare provider to make available a healthcare professional to
conduct forensic sexual assault examinations.
Present law requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers to offer sexual assault
survivors information about available treatment and to follow specified procedures when a
survivor presents for care.
Proposed law requires all licensed hospitals with an emergency department to maintain and
make available a qualified healthcare professional during hours of operation to provide
treatment and conduct forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault.
Present law requires timely examination and treatment in a private setting by a qualified
healthcare provider and access to an advocate when available.
Present law defines "healthcare provider" as both an entity that provides healthcare services,
such as a hospital, and a person that provides healthcare services, such as a physician.
Proposed law modifies the definition of healthcare provider to describe healthcare entities
and adds a definition of healthcare professional to describe the person providing healthcare
services.
Proposed law provides that a "qualified healthcare professional" must have documented
proof of training in forensic medical examinations.
Effective August 1, 2028.
(Amends R.S. 40:1216.1(A)(intro. para.) and (H)(3); Adds R.S. 40:1216.1(H)(8))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill:
1. Provide that all hospitals with an emergency department shall maintain a
qualified healthcare professional on site to conduct forensic examinations.
2. Provide for qualifications of healthcare professionals who conduct forensic
examinations.
3. Provide for an effective date.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.