Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish required informed consent for sensitive medical examinations performed on patients who are anesthetized or unconscious. This aims to protect patient rights and ensure ethical medical practices in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Definition of Sensitive Examination: The bill defines a sensitive examination as any pelvic, breast, urogenital, or rectal examination.

• Informed Consent Requirement:

  • Medical professionals, including students and residents in training, may not conduct sensitive examinations on unconscious patients without prior written informed consent from the patient or their legally authorized representative.
  • Informed consent is necessary unless:
  • The examination is needed for preventive, diagnostic, or treatment purposes.
  • It is within the scope of care for a consented surgical procedure or diagnostic test.
  • The patient is unable to consent due to unconsciousness, and the exam is required for diagnostic or treatment purposes.
  • The exam is court-ordered for evidence collection.

Significant Changes

• Legal Implications: The bill introduces a new legal framework in the Minnesota Statutes (Chapter 144) that mandates informed consent for sensitive examinations, categorizing non-compliance as a gross misdemeanor.
• Disciplinary Actions: Violators of this statute may face disciplinary actions imposed by the relevant health-related licensing board.

Relevant Terms

sensitive examination, informed consent, anesthetized, unconscious, patient rights, ethical medical practice, gross misdemeanor, disciplinary action.