Federal legislation is critical to advance the nursing workforce, restrictions on practice, and promote solutions to national issues. Here EBP will highlight current bills that have been introduced in congress, how they would impact healthcare and nursing practice, as well as ways to use your voice to push this legislation forward (if it is beneficial)

H.R. 602: ​Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in VA Hospitals (SANE VA) Act

H.R. 392|S. 131: Providing Real-World Educational and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrows Nurses” (PRECEPT) Act
Background
  • The bill was introduced in the Congressional House of Representatives by Rep. Tim Burchett (R, TN-2) on 1/22/25. 
    • As of 1/30/25, the bill has 4 co-sponsors: Rep. Timothy Kennedy (D, NY-25); Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R, FL-13); Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D, FL-23); Rep. Nancy Mace (R, SC-1); Rep. Donald Davis (D, NC-1)
    • ​As of 1/30/25, the bill has not been introduced in the Senate.
  • SANE Nurses are RNs who pursue additional education and certification (via an exam and accredited courses) and assist sexual assault survivors in documenting their assault and treat any injuries.
  • The bill was introduced in the previous congress, where it died in committee
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  • The bill will require each Veteran's Affairs Hospital and Urgent Care clinic to:
    • Employ:
      • A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) nurse OR
      • A health care provider who is qualified to perform a sexual assault forensic exam; AND
    • ​Refer sexual assault patients to mental health services
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Background
  • The bill was introduced in the Congressional House of Representatives by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R, VA-2) on 1/14/25. 
    • ​As of 1/30/25, the house bill has 3 co-sponsors: Rep. Claudia Tenney (R, NY-24); Rep. David Joyce (R, OH-14); and Rep. Jim Costa (D, CA-21)
  • In the Senate, the legislation was also introduced by Senators Mark Kelly (D, AZ) and Marsha Blackburn (R, TN) on 1/16/25.
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  • Nurses in health provider service areas who precept nursing students or newly hired nurses (<6 months) for >200 hours in a taxable year will be eligible for a $2,000 tax credit
  • If passed, the legislation would take effect in 2026 and run through 2032
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