HB 89 Summary

• Prohibits advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians from performing or authorizing intimate examinations (pelvic, prostate, or rectal) on anesthetized or unconscious patients without exceptions for medical necessity, informed consent, diagnostic requirements, or court-ordered evidence collection.

• Creates new enforceable violations (sections 4723.93, 4730.57, and 4731.77) establishing disciplinary grounds for nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who violate intimate examination restrictions.

• Adds violation of the intimate examination restrictions as grounds for disciplinary action by the Board of Nursing and State Medical Board, with potential sanctions including license suspension, revocation, reprimand, or fines.

• Allows limited exceptions to the prohibition: examinations within scope of surgical/diagnostic procedures, examinations with patient/legal representative consent, examinations required for diagnosis or treatment, and court-ordered examinations for evidence collection.

• Applies to licensed professionals and students in medical schools, osteopathic medical schools, nursing programs, and physician assistant programs.