FINAL BILL REPORT

ESB 5282

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

C 187 L 20

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Requiring informed consent for pelvic exams.

Sponsors: Senators Liias, Cleveland, Darneille, Short, Kuderer, Walsh, Brown, Randall, Dhingra, Rolfes, Billig, Das, Hunt, Keiser and Pedersen.

Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness

Background: Informed Consent. A health care provider must obtain informed consent from a patient or the patient's representative before performing medical treatment. Informed consent is the process by which the treating health care provider discloses information to a patient or the patient's representative so the patient may make a voluntary choice to accept or refuse treatment. Informed consent generally includes a discussion of the following elements:

Uniform Disciplinary Act. The Uniform Disciplinary Act is a standardized set of procedures for enforcing laws concerning licensure and misconduct of licensed health care professionals. The Act includes the list of acts that constitute unprofessional conduct. All licensed health care professionals are subject to the Act.

Summary: A licensed health care provider may not perform or authorize a student practicing under their authority to perform a pelvic examination on a patient who is anesthetized or unconscious unless:

A provider who violates this act is subject to discipline pursuant to the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

45

0

House

98

0

(House amended)

Senate

49

0

(Senate concurred)

Effective:

June 11, 2020