KY HB548

Health care providers are prohibited from performing or supervising pelvic, rectal, or prostate examinations on anesthetized or unconscious patients without prior informed consent, except when medically necessary for diagnosis/treatment, within the scope of a consented procedure, or court-ordered for evidence collection.

Informed consent requires a signed "intimate exam consent form" following a plain-language discussion that covers the nature of the examination, risks and benefits, alternatives, the patient's right to refuse or revoke consent, and the identity and training status of all individuals involved including students.

Applies to individuals licensed by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure or Kentucky Board of Nursing under KRS Chapter 311 or 314 whose scope of practice includes these examinations.

Providers must notify patients as soon as reasonably practicable if an examination was performed under an exception to the consent requirement.

Violations subject health care providers to discipline by their professional licensing or certification board.