NC S336

Requires prior informed consent from patients, legal guardians, or designated health care agents before performing pelvic or rectal examinations on anesthetized or unconscious patients, with exceptions for diagnostic/treatment necessity or emergencies.

Mandates health care providers obtain verbal consent and provide a separate written or electronic consent document with specific requirements including the nature of the examination, authorized providers, and checkbox options for different examination types.

Requires a new consent form for each examination when a patient is anesthetized or unconscious, and allows patients to withhold or withdraw consent at any time without affecting future care or benefits.

Prohibits examinations performed solely for educational or training purposes without specific informed consent and establishes violation as a Class A1 misdemeanor.

Becomes effective October 1, 2023, and requires health care licensees to report violations to the Board within 30 days.