SB 1123

This bill enacts the "Statewide Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator Act, "" which creates a statewide sexual assault response team (SART) coordinator who is responsible for ensuring the proper training, compliance, and effective functi oning of local SARTs in accordance with state law . The statewide SART coordinator must provide statewide leadership, coordination, technical assistance, and oversight to ensure the proper functioning of sexual assault response teams, including training, c ompliance with applicable laws, and access to necessary resources. This bill provides that t he statewide SART coordinator is an employee of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence and must report directly to the executive director of the organization. Subject to appropriations, the statewide SART coordinator position is funded by grants from the department of finance and administration, office of criminal justice programs, to the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence for such purpose. Not later than February 1 annually, this bill requires the statewide SART coordinator to submit a report to the chief clerks of the senate and the house of representatives and the legislative librarian on the status of the SART program throughout the state, including training efforts, compliance levels, and recommendations for improvement. The coordinator must also report on the effectiveness of SARTs in responding to sexual assault cases, identifying gaps in service, and addressing sy stemic challenges."