he Montana House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 11 heard testimony on House Bill 79, a measure proposed by Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell, which would bolster Montana’s sexual assault response network and would increase the availability of sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training throughout the state.
The committee hearing featured testimony from a number of stakeholders, who advocated for the passage of the bill and suggested various amendments. If passed, the legislation would increase coordination between state agencies tasked with sexual violence responses, and would increase access to medical and legal care for individuals in Montana’s rural communities, who are often forced to travel long distances to receive critical treatment after instances of sexual violence.