An Act to create 50.373 of the statutes; Relating to: pelvic exams on unconscious patients and creating an administrative rule related to hospital requirements for pelvic exams on unconscious patients.
Summary
SB14 would require hospitals to obtain a patient’s written informed consent before performing a pelvic examination solely for educational purposes while the patient is under general anesthesia or otherwise unconscious. The bill is aimed at ensuring that patients are aware of and agree to these exams in advance, rather than having them performed without explicit permission during surgery or other procedures.
In addition to creating a new statutory requirement, the bill directs the Department of Health Services to adopt a corresponding administrative rule requiring hospitals to maintain written policies and procedures on consent for these educational pelvic exams. The measure applies specifically to exams done for educational purposes, not to medically necessary pelvic examinations performed for diagnosis or treatment.
Impact
The bill would create s. 50.373 of the Wisconsin Statutes and a related DHS administrative rule under DHS 124.10, adding a new hospital compliance obligation tied to informed consent. Hospitals would need to ensure consent processes and internal policies specifically address pelvic examinations performed on unconscious patients for educational purposes, and the rule would make this a formal part of hospital policy requirements. The practical effect would be to strengthen patient autonomy and standardize consent practices across Wisconsin hospitals.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been introduced with bipartisan and cross-chamber support, as shown by the mix of Democratic and Republican senators and representatives listed as sponsors and cosponsors. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct record of debate or opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text alone, the measure is framed as a patient-consent and hospital-policy bill rather than a controversial substantive health-care mandate.
Contention
The main policy issue is the scope of consent for pelvic exams performed while a patient is unconscious, particularly whether hospitals should be required to obtain explicit written permission for exams done only for educational purposes. Supporters would likely emphasize patient rights, transparency, and bodily autonomy, while any opposition would likely focus on administrative burden, documentation requirements, or concerns about how hospitals distinguish educational exams from medically necessary procedures. No specific objections or named opponents appear in the provided record.
Crossfiled
An Act to create 50.373 of the statutes; Relating to: pelvic exams on unconscious patients and creating an administrative rule related to hospital requirements for pelvic exams on unconscious patients.