Prohibits health care practitioners from performing a virginity examination or supervising the performance of a virginity examination on a patient; defines "virginity examination".
Summary
This bill would amend New York’s Public Health Law to prohibit health care practitioners from performing or supervising a “virginity examination” on a patient. The bill defines that term as any physical gynecological exam or inspection of the female genitalia purported to determine whether a female has previously had vaginal intercourse. It also defines “health care practitioner” broadly to include licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized practitioners under Title VIII of the Education Law acting within their lawful scope of practice.
The bill includes a narrow exception for physical gynecological examinations conducted as part of a forensic medical examination. It would take effect immediately upon enactment. The legislative findings state that virginity examinations lack scientific merit, are not medically indicated, and can cause psychological and physical trauma, citing opposition from major medical and human rights organizations.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new section 267-c to the Public Health Law and create a statewide prohibition on virginity examinations by licensed health care practitioners. It would affect physicians and other practitioners regulated under Title VIII of the Education Law, and it would limit any professional participation in these exams to the extent they are not part of a forensic medical examination. The measure would not alter ordinary gynecological care generally, but it would explicitly bar exams intended to assess prior vaginal intercourse.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have strong supportive framing in the text, with the sponsor and legislative findings emphasizing medical consensus, patient harm, and human rights concerns. The available context shows no recorded votes or committee debate, so there is no evidence of formal opposition or amendment activity in the materials provided. Overall, the bill is presented as a patient-protection and anti-abuse measure with a clear public health rationale.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the scope of the prohibition and how to distinguish a banned “virginity examination” from legitimate gynecological or forensic examinations. The bill addresses that concern by excluding forensic medical examinations, but the line between clinical care, evidence collection, and impermissible testing could still raise implementation questions for practitioners. Another potential issue is enforcement and professional discipline, since the bill does not spell out a separate penalty scheme in the text provided.
Same As
Prohibits health care practitioners from performing a virginity examination or supervising the performance of a virginity examination on a patient; defines "virginity examination".
Prohibits health care practitioners from performing a virginity examination or supervising the performance of a virginity examination on a patient; defines "virginity examination".
Prohibits health care practitioners from performing a virginity examination or supervising the performance of a virginity examination on a patient; defines "virginity examination".
Prohibits health care practitioners from performing a virginity examination or supervising the performance of a virginity examination on a patient; defines "virginity examination".
In school health services, further providing for health services and for vision screening and examinations, providing for eye health examinations and further providing for examinations by examiners of own choice.
In school health services, further providing for health services and for vision screening and examinations, providing for eye health and vision examinations and further providing for examinations by examiners of own choice.