Health providers: medical chaperones.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Chaptered
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill requires healthcare providers, such as clinics and hospitals, to offer patients the option of having a medical chaperone present during sensitive examinations, like ultrasounds of the genitalia, breast, or rectum. Providers must inform patients about this option and document its use in the patient’s record. Staff serving as chaperones must receive specific training on observation, intervention, and patient privacy. The bill also addresses emergency situations and ensures a plan is in place if a chaperone is unavailable.
Key provisions
- Requires providers to offer patients the option of a medical chaperone during sensitive examinations.
- Mandates that providers inform patients about the availability of a medical chaperone.
- Requires documentation of a medical chaperone’s presence in the patient’s health record.
- Establishes training requirements for sonographers and staff who serve as medical chaperones.
- Defines ‘sensitive examination’ as ultrasound procedures involving specific areas of the body.
- Specifies acceptable methods for providing notice of the chaperone option (hard copy, electronic, or verbal).
- Sets the effective date for the new requirements as January 1, 2027.
Who is affected
- Healthcare providers (clinics, hospitals)
- Patients undergoing sensitive examinations (ultrasounds)
- Sonographers and clinical/nonclinical staff
- Medical chaperones
Bill text
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