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Bill

H 2401

An Act providing for safe and consensual sensitive examinations

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais and 11 co-sponsors

Requires explicit informed consent, privacy protections, and patient support persons during sensitive medical examinations to safeguard patient dignity and safety.

Accompanied a new draft, see H4868
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Bill Summary · H 2401

Legislative bill overview

H 2401 establishes protocols and safeguards for sensitive medical examinations—such as gynecological, rectal, or breast exams—to ensure patient consent, privacy, and safety. The bill requires healthcare providers to obtain explicit informed consent, allow patients to have support persons present, and implement procedures protecting patient dignity during these examinations.

Why is this important

Sensitive examinations can be traumatic experiences, particularly for survivors of sexual assault or abuse. Clear legal standards ensure consistent protections across healthcare settings and reduce the risk of improper conduct, while also clarifying patient rights that may vary significantly between providers.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and definition: Disagreement over which examinations qualify as "sensitive" and whether the bill's requirements apply too broadly or narrowly to different medical contexts
  • Operational burden: Healthcare providers may argue compliance requirements increase administrative costs, appointment times, and logistical complexity in busy clinical settings
  • Support person policies: Tension between patient preferences to have advocates present and physician concerns about privacy, confidentiality of other patients, or clinical efficiency in shared spaces

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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