MADISON – Today, the Wisconsin State Assembly unanimously passed Senate Bill 14, a long-overdue measure that protects patients from being subjected to nonconsensual pelvic exams while under anesthesia or otherwise unconscious. The bill, which has already cleared the Senate, now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Representative Lisa Subeck (D–Madison) released the following statement:
“No patient should ever wake up to learn that their body was used for an intimate medical exam they didn’t know about and didn’t consent to,” said Rep. Subeck. “Today, we took a strong step toward restoring bodily autonomy and dignity to patients.”
Senate Bill 14 requires medical providers to obtain written, informed consent from patients before performing pelvic exams for educational or training purposes while those patients are unconscious or under anesthesia, except in cases where the exam is medically necessary for the patient’s care. The bill ensures that patients are informed in advance, can ask questions, and have the right to refuse—basic rights that have not always been guaranteed in practice.
“This legislation was first introduced nearly ten years ago, after a constituent courageously came forward to share her traumatic experience of learning that medical students had performed a pelvic exam on her without her knowledge or permission,” said Rep. Subeck. “It has taken far too long, but we are finally honoring her bravery by putting an end to this disturbing and unethical practice.”
Support for the bill has grown in recent years as more patients nationwide have come forward with similar experiences, and as states across the country have enacted similar protections. Medical advocacy groups, patient rights organizations, and ethics experts have all voiced support for requiring informed consent in these situations.
“Patients entrust medical professionals with their care at their most vulnerable moments,” said Rep. Subeck. “That trust must never be violated. Performing a medically unnecessary and invasive exam without consent is not only a breach of ethics—it is a violation that can feel indistinguishable from sexual assault.”
Rep. Lisa Subeck represents the 79th Assembly District and serves as Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus.
