MADISON — The State Assembly today gave final approval to legislation authored by Senator André Jacque (R–New Franken) that will require hospitals to obtain explicit, written consent from female patients before medical students can perform pelvic examinations while the patient is under anesthesia or unconscious. The bill passed the Assembly unanimously following a similar unanimous voice vote in the Senate.
The Patient Privacy Protection Act ensures that women are fully informed and able to consent to sensitive medical procedures performed for educational purposes—an issue that has drawn increasing national concern and public support.
“This legislation affirms a fundamental principle: that women deserve to have their bodily autonomy respected—even when they are unconscious and vulnerable,” said Sen. Jacque. “Requiring specific consent before conducting these exams is not only about patient rights, but also about compassionate, trauma-informed care.”
Sen. Jacque noted that while the practice of performing pelvic exams on sedated patients during gynecological procedures has historically been used in medical education, it has often occurred without the patient’s knowledge or specific consent. That, he said, is unacceptable in today’s clinical and ethical environment.
“In recent years, many women have bravely come forward to share personal experiences of sexual assault and harassment. To later learn that a sensitive exam may have been performed without their knowledge or permission can re-trigger trauma and erode trust in the health care system,” Jacque said. “This bill helps protect both patients and the integrity of medical training.”
The bill, Senate Bill 14/Assembly Bill 11, requires that written informed consent be obtained prior to a pelvic examination on a patient who is unconscious or under general anesthesia, unless the exam is medically necessary for diagnosis or treatment. Medical students or other authorized individuals would not be permitted to perform such exams without prior consent for training purposes.
Jacque emphasized that the bill does not hinder medical education, but rather strengthens it by reinforcing the principle of informed consent—something that most patients are willing to provide when asked.
“Most patients will say yes when they’re informed and respected,” said Jacque. “Teaching future physicians the importance of consent is not a barrier—it’s a benefit to their training and to the profession as a whole.”
The bill has received broad bipartisan support, with over 30 co-sponsors and formal endorsements from key advocacy and health care organizations including the Wisconsin Nurses Association, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health. It also aligns with the official positions of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
The bill passed the full Senate unanimously last session and again this session, along with unanimous committee approval in the Assembly.
Jacque said he expects Governor Evers to sign the legislation into law shortly.
“With this bill, Wisconsin has the opportunity to join the 28 other states that have already taken action to protect patient consent in medical training. This is a step forward for ethical care, patient trust, and women’s health.”
