HB 871 – Informed Consent/Certain Procedures

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Gale Adcock (D-Wake); Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus); Rep. Julie von Haefen (D-Wake)

 

Summary

This bill prohibits a health care provider or trainee from performing or supervising the performance of a pelvic or rectal examination on an anesthetized or unconscious patient unless one of the following conditions is met: (1) the patient or the patient’s legal guardian/designated health care agent provides prior informed consent to a pelvic or rectal examination; (2) the patient is incapable of providing informed consent and the pelvic or rectal examination is necessary for diagnostic or treatment purposes; or (3) an emergency exists at the time of the examination and it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent, and the pelvic or rectal examination is necessary for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

 

This bill also specifies the process to be followed to obtain consent, including providing the patient with a written or electronic document that includes certain specified requirements and obtaining the patient’s or the patient’s representative’s signature.

 

This bill also states that any individual who violates these requirements shall be guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021