Requires members of Sexual Assault Response Team to receive training on interacting with victims with developmental disabilities.

S3491

SENATE, No. 3491

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� JAMES BEACH

District 6 (Burlington and Camden)

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires members of Sexual Assault Response Team to
receive training on interacting with victims with developmental disabilities.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act

concerning Sexual Assault Response Teams and amending P.L.2001, c.81

����
Be It Enacted

by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� Section 4 of P.L.2001,
c.81 (C.52:4B-52) is amended to read as follows:

���� 4.��� The program coordinator
shall:

���� a.���� Coordinate the county
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in accordance with standard protocols for
the provision of information and services to victims of sexual assault
developed by the Attorney General pursuant to subsection d. of section 6 of
P.L.1985, c.404 (C.52:4B-44);

���� b.��� Perform forensic sexual
assault examinations on victims of sexual assault in accordance with the
standards developed by the Attorney General and appropriate medical and nursing
standards of care;

���� c.���� Designate one or more
licensed physicians or certified forensic sexual assault nurse examiners to
perform forensic sexual assault examinations on victims of sexual assault in
accordance with the standards developed by the Attorney General and appropriate
medical and nursing standards of care;

���� d.��� Develop and implement
standardized guidelines for forensic sexual assault examinations performed by
designated physicians or certified forensic sexual assault nurse examiners in
the county;

���� e.���� Develop and implement a
standardized education and training program to provide instruction to members
of the county Sexual Assault Response Team established pursuant to section 6 of
this act which shall include, but not be limited to, instruction in the following
areas:

���� (1)�� the importance of a
coordinated, multi-disciplinary response to a report of sexual assault;

���� (2)�� the policies and
procedures which govern the responsibilities of each team member;

���� (3)�� the psychological
effects of sexual assault and rape trauma syndrome on the victim and the
victim's family and friends;

���� (4)�� the collection, handling
and documentation of forensic evidence;
[
and
]

���� (5)�� confidentiality issues
associated with the treatment of a victim of sexual assault and the
investigation of a report of sexual assault;
and

����
(6)�� interacting with
victims who have developmental disabilities
.

���� f.���� Establish, in
cooperation with licensed health care facilities, private waiting rooms and
areas designated for forensic sexual assault examinations and the provision of
rape care services in the licensed health care facilities participating in the
program;

���� g.��� Develop, in cooperation
with licensed health care facilities, protocols for the storage of forensic
evidence;

���� h.��� Provide appropriate
services to victims of sexual assault, including the opportunity to tend to
personal hygiene needs, obtain fresh clothing and speak with a rape care
advocate prior to and during any medical procedure or law enforcement
investigation, unless the victim requires immediate medical attention, as
appropriate;

���� i.���� Collaborate with law
enforcement officials and the county rape care program to ensure that the needs
of victims of sexual assault are met in a compassionate manner;

���� j.���� Participate in regular
meetings of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program Coordinating Council
established pursuant to section 7 of this act; and

���� k.��� Develop and implement
procedures to ensure that victims of sexual assault are not charged any fee for
services that are directly associated with forensic sexual assault
examinations, including routine medical screening, medications for prophylaxis
of sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception,
supplies, equipment and use of space.

���� As used in this section and
section 6 of this act, "rape care advocate" means a victim counselor,
as defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1987, c.169 (C.2A:84A-22.14), who
specializes in the provision of rape care services.

(cf:� P.L.2011, c.106, s.2)

���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect on the first day of the fourth month after enactment.

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires the members
of each Sexual Assault Response Team to receive training on interacting with
victims with developmental disabilities.

���� Under current law, the county
prosecutor in each county is required to appoint or designate a certified
forensic sexual assault nurse examiner to serve as program coordinator for the
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in the county.� In addition to other
duties, the program coordinator is required to develop and implement a
standardized education and training program to provide instruction to members
of the county Sexual Assault Response Team on certain topics.� Current law
requires the response team to be comprised of a certified forensic sexual
assault nurse examiner, a rape care advocate, and a law enforcement official.

���� This bill provides that the
training provided to the response team is required to include instruction on
interacting with victims who have developmental disabilities.