Creates a new law by adding a section to chapter 43.70 RCW that establishes, subject to available appropriations, a stipend program for registered nurses who complete training to become adult/adolescent or pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners. The department named in the new section is directed to establish and administer the program and may adopt rules to implement it. The statute caps the total stipend for any individual at $2,500 and conditions program operation on amounts appropriated for this purpose. The bill defines “out-of-pocket expenses” that the stipend may cover to include fees, tuition, educational materials or other charges by the training provider; reasonable travel expenses such as air travel, rental car, personal vehicle mileage, lodging, and meals; and any other expenses the department deems appropriate. The intended recipients are registered nurses completing the specified training. The text does not identify which department will administer the program, does not provide application or selection procedures, eligibility criteria beyond “registered nurses completing the training,” award or oversight processes, a specific appropriation amount, an effective date, a section number within chapter 43.70, or any sunset or duration provisions. Procedurally, it grants rulemaking authority but does not change criminal penalties or create new offenses. The bill was prefiled 12/12/24, read first time 01/13/25, and referred to the Committee on Appropriations in the 2025 Regular Session (69th Legislature).

If enacted, the state would set up a stipend program run by the designated department to pay registered nurses up to $2,500 each toward the costs of completing training to become adult/adolescent or pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners. The stipend can reimburse tuition, fees, materials, travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses the department allows, and the department may adopt rules to run the program; however the program only operates if specific money is appropriated. The most affected parties are nurses seeking SANE training, who would likely face lower out-of-pocket costs and therefore have more incentive to complete the training, and the administering department, which would gain new responsibilities and potential workload to manage awards and rulemaking. Key details are missing: the bill text here does not identify which department will run the program, how nurses apply or are selected, how many stipends can be funded, or when the program would start, so the number of nurses helped and the total state cost remain unclear.