Sexual assault nurse examiners' application of statutory rape reporting laws.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to compile a list of current state laws that mandate medical providers' reporting of statutory rape and assess the subjective interpretation of such laws by sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) throughout the country.


METHODS
We contacted an SANE representative from each state by use of the International Association of Forensic Nurses' Web site to obtain information on his or her interpretation of the respective state's statutory rape reporting laws. We compared current state laws and SANE interpretation of such laws with legal interpretation of state laws 5 years previously.


RESULTS
According to practitioners, the number of states that legislate mandatory reporting has increased over the past 5 years. State law routinely mandates reporting in 26 states and does not mandate reporting in 10 states. In 3 of those 10, the law prohibits reporting. The law requires reporting only under certain conditions in 14 states.


CONCLUSIONS
Practitioner interpretation of state laws regarding definitions and mandatory reporting of statutory rape varies widely from state to state, and these laws have changed significantly in many states over the past 5 years. Practitioners wishing to comply with state reporting laws require updated legislation information.
Sachs
Carolyn J
CJ
Emergency Medicine Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90720, USA. csachs@ucla.edu
Weinberg
Elizabeth
E
Wheeler
Malinda Waddell
MW
D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D053604:Forensic Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D033242:Minors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010808:Physical Examination; D011902:Rape / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States