About
Minnesota Statute §299C.106 regarding sexual assault examination kit handling went into effect in 2021.
All hospitals and health systems in Minnesota are now required to submit restricted (unreported to law enforcement) sexual assault kits to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) within 60 days of the medical forensic exam.
This webinar is geared toward hospitals and health systems that do not have a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) or forensic nurse examiner program response for patients needing a sexual assault evidentiary exam.
This webinar will provide information about the legislation, including
- New definitions in the statute
- Transfer of unrestricted sexual assault examination kit from health care facilities to law enforcement agencies
- Submission of restricted sexual assault examination kits to the BCA from health care facilities
- Storage of restricted sexual assault examination kits at the BCA
- Required uniform consent form
The webinar will give hospitals and health systems practical information on how to implement the statutory requirements, protocols to use, forms and documentation needed to submit the sexual assault kit evidence to the BCA.
Objectives
- Recognize the differences between unrestricted and restricted sexual assault kits.
- Identify the steps for successful implementation of the kit storage legislation.
- Discuss the benefits of centralized restricted kit storage for patients who have experienced sexual assault.
- Improve the medical forensic care options for patients who have experienced sexual violence.
Speakers
Staci Bennett, assistant laboratory director, BCA
Staci Bennett has been with the BCA for over 30 years in various capacities. She started in the biology section working on violent crime cases, was the supervisor in biology/DNA and then was the supervisor of breath testing and toxicology labs. Currently, she is one of three assistant laboratory directors overseeing all of these areas. Bennett has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and is a member of several professional organizations that relate to forensic science and crime laboratories.
Jess Weber, forensic scientist, biology laboratory, BCA
Jess Weber is a forensic scientist in the biology laboratory at the BCA and is the site coordinator for the sexual assault kit initiative (SAKI) project for the state of Minnesota and the biology section supervisor for sexual assault cases. Weber has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Minnesota.
Linda Walther, clinical coordinator, Statewide Medical Forensic Policy Program, Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Linda Walther is the clinical coordinator for the Statewide Medical Forensic Policy Program at the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She has 40 years of nursing experience and has been a sexual assault nurse examiner for 14 years. She provides trainings on medical forensic exams for hospitals and health systems and coordinates SANE trainings in Minnesota.
Who should attend
Hospital administrators, nursing supervisors, emergency department nursing managers or supervisors, emergency department nurses and anyone involved with handling sexual assault examination kits.
Continuing education
The program has been designed to meet the Minnesota Board of Nursing continuing education requirements for a total of 1.25 contact hours.
Fee
- Complimentary for MHA members
- $25 per person for nonmembers
Registration deadline
Please register by 5 p.m. on Aug. 9 to ensure timely delivery of access instructions.
Approximately four business days before the web conference, you will receive an email that contains instructions on how to connect. Advance registration is required to ensure delivery of instructional materials.
If you do not receive an email prior to the program with web conference details, please contact info@mnhospitals.org to confirm your registration.