Adopted Rules Include SAFE Definition and ISP CheckPoint Requirement
October 13, 2021
MEMORANDUM
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently adopted several amendments to the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA), which were published in the Illinois Register on October 8 by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The pertinent language can be found on pages 12852 – 12863.
The rulemaking implements IDPH’s requirement to adopt rules for the qualifications of Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs). The rules require physicians and physician assistants seeking SAFE certification as either Adult/Adolescent or Pediatric/Adolescent SAFEs to submit documentation to the SANE Coordinator at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
The documentation must include didactic and clinical training, and clinical experience, that meets or is substantially similar to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines established by the International Association of Forensic Nurses. At the request of the applicant, reviews by the SANE coordinator may include a peer review by a SANE-A, SANE-P, or a child abuse pediatrician.
Additionally, the rulemaking also implements Public Act 101-0377, which amended SASETA to require treatment hospitals, treatment hospitals with pediatric transfer, out-of-state hospitals, and approved pediatric health care facilities to comply with Section 50 of the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act. The adopted rules require treatment hospitals to register with the Illinois State Police and utilize the CheckPoint sexual assault evidence tracking system.
Those with questions or seeking to comment on the adopted rulemaking can contact: Illinois Department of Public Health, Attention: Tracey Trigillo, Rules Coordinator, Lincoln Plaza, 524 S. 2nd Street, 6th Floor, Springfield Illinois, 62701, by calling 217-782-1159, or by emailing dph.rules@illinois.gov.
If you have any questions regarding these proposed rule changes or SASETA, please contact IHA.