Bill > SF183

This bill establishes new requirements for obtaining informed consent before performing sensitive medical examinations on patients who are anesthetized or unconscious. Specifically, the bill defines a "sensitive examination" as a pelvic, breast, urogenital, or rectal examination, and outlines four scenarios where such an examination may be performed: (1) when the patient or their legal representative has provided prior written consent and the examination is necessary for preventive, diagnostic, or treatment purposes; (2) when consent was given for a surgical procedure or diagnostic examination and the sensitive examination is within the scope of that ordered care; (3) when the patient is unconscious and unable to provide consent, and the examination is necessary for diagnostic or treatment purposes; or (4) when a court has ordered the examination for evidence collection. Any health professional, student, or resident who performs a sensitive examination without meeting these conditions would be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and could face disciplinary action from their professional licensing board. The law would take effect on August 1, 2025, and apply to crimes committed on or after that date, providing a clear legal framework to protect patient rights and prevent unauthorized medical examinations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0183&ssn=0&y=2025