HR1878: HR1878 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

26 LC 129 1480 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 i n supporting survivors of1 violence and making our community safer from violence as well as declaring November 22 through 8, 2026, Forensic Nurses Week; and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, forensic nurses empower patients who are victims of violence to seek healing4 and justice as they choose; and5 WHEREAS, violence is a persistent health care issue, and forens ic nurses are the bridge6 between the medical and legal needs of patients; and7 WHEREAS, patients who experience violence sustain physical injuries, as well as acute and8 chronic physical and mental health conditions, including sexual ly transmitted infections,9 HIV, substance misuse, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation; and10 WHEREAS, the health consequences of violence cost hospitals in the United States11 approximately $18.2 billion annually; and12 WHEREAS, forensic nurses are essential to Georgia's health care because they provide13 trauma-informed nursing care that focuses on patient populations affected by violence and14 H. R. 1878 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1480 trauma, including victims and perpetrators of violent crimes, a cross the lifespan and in15 diverse practice settings; and16 WHEREAS, forensic nursing has been formally recognized as a specialty practice area since17 1995; and18 WHEREAS, forensic nurses work independently, yet collaboratively, within health care and19 multidisciplinary community systems ensuring the provision of care extends from the clinical20 setting to the courtroom; and21 WHEREAS, forensic nursing encompasses caring for diverse patient populations, including22 patients who have experienced sexual assault or abuse, intimate or interpersonal violence,23 elder and child maltreatment, human trafficking and accidental as well as nonaccidental24 trauma, in roles that include sexual assault nurse examiner, forensic nurse examiner, death25 investigator, correctional nurse, forensic psychiatric nurse, legal nurse consultant, forensic26 geriatric specialist, nurse attorney, forensic nursing educator s, and forensic clinical nurse27 specialists; and28 WHEREAS, forensic nurses foster an understanding of the health consequences, effective29 interventions, and prevention of violence and trauma in individ uals, families, and30 communities; and31 WHEREAS, forensic nurses work in partnership with multidiscipli nary stakeholders,32 including Tribal organizations, advocacy, law enforcement, mili tary branches, and legal33 counsel.34 H. R. 1878 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1480 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that35 the members of this body acknowledge that forensic nursing is more relevant now than ever36 before, as this specialty practice evolves to address the gaps in health care related to effective37 violence intervention, reduction of long-term health consequenc es, and prevention; honor38 forensic nurses for their commitment to providing evidence-base d, compassionate,39 trauma-informed care encompassing the entire scope of nursing p ractice; reaffirm their40 commitment to working alongside forensic nurses to further their contributions to improve41 health outcomes for patients experiencing violence; and declare November 2 through 8,42 2026, Forensic Nurses Week.43 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized44 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the45 public and the press.46 H. R. 1878 - 3 -