HR 1878: Forensic Nurses Week; November 2 through 8, 2026; important role Georgia's forensic nurses play in supporting survivors of violence and making our community safer from violence; recognize

House Resolution 1878

By: Representatives Lupton of the 83rd and Holcomb of the 101st

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the important role Georgia's forensic nurses play in supporting survivors of violence and making our community safer from violence as well as declaring November 2 through 8, 2026, Forensic Nurses Week; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, forensic nurses empower patients who are victims of violence to seek healing and justice as they choose; and

WHEREAS, violence is a persistent health care issue, and forensic nurses are the bridge between the medical and legal needs of patients; and

WHEREAS, patients who experience violence sustain physical injuries, as well as acute and chronic physical and mental health conditions, including sexually transmitted infections, HIV, substance misuse, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation; and

WHEREAS, the health consequences of violence cost hospitals in the United States approximately $18.2 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, forensic nurses are essential to Georgia's health care because they provide trauma-informed nursing care that focuses on patient populations affected by violence and trauma, including victims and perpetrators of violent crimes, across the lifespan and in diverse practice settings; and

WHEREAS, forensic nursing has been formally recognized as a specialty practice area since 1995; and

WHEREAS, forensic nurses work independently, yet collaboratively, within health care and multidisciplinary community systems ensuring the provision of care extends from the clinical setting to the courtroom; and

WHEREAS, forensic nursing encompasses caring for diverse patient populations, including patients who have experienced sexual assault or abuse, intimate or interpersonal violence, elder and child maltreatment, human trafficking and accidental as well as nonaccidental trauma, in roles that include sexual assault nurse examiner, forensic nurse examiner, death investigator, correctional nurse, forensic psychiatric nurse, legal nurse consultant, forensic geriatric specialist, nurse attorney, forensic nursing educators, and forensic clinical nurse specialists; and

WHEREAS, forensic nurses foster an understanding of the health consequences, effective interventions, and prevention of violence and trauma in individuals, families, and communities; and

WHEREAS, forensic nurses work in partnership with multidisciplinary stakeholders, including Tribal organizations, advocacy, law enforcement, military branches, and legal counsel.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body acknowledge that forensic nursing is more relevant now than ever before, as this specialty practice evolves to address the gaps in health care related to effective violence intervention, reduction of long-term health consequences, and prevention; honor forensic nurses for their commitment to providing evidence-based, compassionate, trauma-informed care encompassing the entire scope of nursing practice; reaffirm their commitment to working alongside forensic nurses to further their contributions to improve health outcomes for patients experiencing violence; and declare November 2 through 8, 2026, Forensic Nurses Week.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.