MN HF78

Health professionals, students, and residents must obtain prior written informed consent before performing pelvic examinations on anesthetized or unconscious patients, with limited exceptions.

Pelvic examinations are permitted without prior consent when the patient is unconscious and incapable of providing consent if the examination is necessary for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

Pelvic examinations are permitted when consent was provided for a related surgical procedure or diagnostic examination and the pelvic exam falls within the scope of ordered care.

Court-ordered pelvic examinations for evidence collection are permitted without prior patient consent.

Violations constitute a gross misdemeanor and are grounds for disciplinary action by the health-related licensing board; the law becomes effective August 1, 2023.