Rockford Sun

While three Republican senators had issues with legislation requiring specialized pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners throughout the state by a certain date, one did not.

Sponsored by Rep. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), HB5245, passed by the House in early May, amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act by adding hospital and care site requirements in the review of pediatric sexual assault care.

After Sen. Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles) rose in support, asking for approval on the bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Michael Unes (R-East Peoria), her opinion was questioned by her GOP peers.

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford)

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford), concerned with the Illinois Health and Hospital Association meeting required a 2022 deadline for 24/7 SANE nurse coverage, asked Morrison if she was willing to revisit the mandate deadline due to the heavy penalty it carries.

“The short answer is yes,” Morrison said, adding after the bill is law and good faith efforts have been made by hospitals, she would compromise. “I have gone on the record in committee, and I will go on the record on the floor to work to help any hospital having trouble coming into compliance.”

After Morrison said Syverson will see all, if not most, hospitals become part of the pool by the deadline, he shared concerns for Southern Illinois. “The only trauma hospitals for EMS (Emergency Medical Services) are in regions four and five and they are located in East St. Louis and Evansville Indiana,” Syverson said.

He then questioned the 2024 sunset for hospitals to transfer patients who were sexually assaulted, including children, to these highly competent hospitals.

“There is a sunset date in there to strongly encourage all Illinois hospitals to come into compliance,” Morrison said.

Like Syverson, who admitted the bill addresses a serious issue, Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) expressed the same and additional concerns, especially the amount of statewide SANE nurses required.

“There are currently 150 and the goal being mandated with the bill is 650,” McCarter said.

The problem, he said, is that the ramp-up is too short, and if the hospitals do not meet the mandate, it is a $500 penalty daily. He Morrison’s promised leniency and willingness to go back and create a trailer bill will be too late.

“They will be waiting for us to pass more legislation to address their issue,” McCarter said. “Our legislation should be better than that.”

Additionally, the clinical training to become a SANE nurse is difficult, McCarter said.  “This is a challenge for the hospitals, and retention is a problem for the hospitals.”

After noting lawmakers do not have business telling employers how to do their job, Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) said he has heard from chief executive officers who have expressed the financial strain the bill will put on the smaller hospitals.

“Is there a workaround that would affect these small community hospitals currently in the bill or would we have to address their issues later through the trailer legislation,” Schimpf asked.

Morrison said small hospitals have the ability to remain transfer facilities and are not required to become treatment hospitals. “I know that people who live in small rural communities deserve the same kind of excellent quality treatment and medical care that those in more suburban or urban areas have in bigger hospitals,” Morrison said.

Although the three senators questioned the consequences of the bill, they gave it their full support, passing HB5245 49-0. 

The bill will now move to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk for approval.