This bill makes sure every VA hospital and urgent care has a trained medical professional ready to examine and care for people who report a sexual assault. It requires each facility to have at least one sexual assault nurse examiner or another provider who is qualified to perform a sexual assault forensic exam, so veterans can get timely, expert care close to home .

After the exam, the provider must verbally connect the person to mental health services. If the VA can’t offer an appointment within 30 days, the person can be referred to care in the community through an approved VA program. The VA must also make sure these new duties don’t take away from other patient care at its facilities .

• Who is affected: Veterans seeking care at VA hospitals and urgent care centers after a sexual assault.
• What changes: Guaranteed access to a qualified examiner on-site; verbal referral to mental health care; option for outside care if VA wait is over 30 days; no reduction in other patient services.
• Why it matters: Faster, specialized care and clearer paths to follow-up support after a traumatic event.