Cuomo signs law banning pelvic exams on unconsenting women

ALBANY — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation Monday requiring medical officials to obtain a patient's consent before subjecting them to a pelvic exam while unconscious or under anesthesia.

The legislation, which takes effect in April 2020, makes it professional misconduct to perform an unauthorized pelvic exam.

"No one should ever have to question what was done to their body when undergoing anesthesia or otherwise unconscious in a healthcare setting," Cuomo said. "It is a blatant and completely unacceptable abuse of trust for any doctor or healthcare provider to perform an exam that was not previously consented to by the patient, and with this new measure we are making crystal clear that this repugnant behavior will be punished accordingly."

New York is one of roughly a dozen states that moved to outlaw unauthorized pelvic examinations this year in response to long-held concerns about a lack of patient consent.

Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Cuomo-signs-law-banning-pelvic-exams-on-14498398.php
(Albany Times Union)