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Legislators advance bill to require explicit consent for exams performed under anesthesia
Summary
The Senate Health and Provider Services Committee unanimously advanced SB 90, which would align state law with federal consent standards and require patients to be informed and sign consent forms before sensitive exams under anesthesia. Supporters said the change protects patient autonomy and clarifies expectations for trainees.
Senators on the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee voted unanimously to move forward with a bill intended to ensure patients sign explicit consent forms before sensitive exams are performed under anesthesia.
Sponsor remarks described the bill as state adoption of federal standards to prevent situations in which patients feel procedures were performed without consent. Representative Jackson, who testified in support, said she had introduced similar bills previously and described testimony she has heard from people traumatized by unconsented exams: "It’s your body. You have the right to make a decision," she said. An emergency medicine resident testifying for the Good Trouble Coalition urged a small technical change to preserve appropriately supervised trainee exams while protecting patients.
Supporters framed the measure as protecting both patients and clinicians by clarifying consent requirements and ensuring consent occurs before anesthesia or incapacitation. The committee heard no questions that altered the bill’s substance during testimony.
A motion to pass SB 90 carried on a 12–0 roll call and the measure was advanced to second reading.
