The 2023 Montana Legislature established a statewide sexual assault response team committee via House Bill No. 79 (2-15-2035, Montana Code Annotated). Known as the Sexual Assault Response Network (SARN) Committee, the group is administratively attached to the Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) and staffed by the Office of Victim Services SARN Program Coordinator. Sign up to receive committee meeting notices and other Office of Victim Service information.

Mission Statement

The committee’s mission is to develop a multidisciplinary framework and create guidelines to address sexual assault and care for all citizens in Montana.

Committee Duties

(44-4-1703, MCA)

• Adopt educational and clinical standards for SANEs and evidence-based SANE training curriculum that comply with national training standards, national protocol, guidelines from the international association of forensic nurses, and state/local laws;
• Adopt/implement medical sexual assault response guidelines for Montana;
• Develop statewide teleSANE partnerships, collaborations with hospital/clinic leadership, and strategies that include interoperability of health care systems, secure health information exchange, and assessment of teleSANE models of care to increase equitable access to quality sexual assault care;
• Identify/implement a statewide platform for SANEs to engage, mentor, share, and network among colleagues;
• Establish and periodically review payment amounts, standards, and processes for the sexual assault medical forensic examination in accordance with 46-15-411, MCA.

Hope Stockwell, SARN Coordinator

E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 406-444-9869