This bill adds a provision to the patients' bill of rights that addresses a patient's request for a procedure that may leave them sterile. The bill states that if a patient who is 18 years or older has a medical condition for which a procedure that leaves them sterile is medically advisable, the physician cannot deny the procedure based on age, number of children, or the physician's perception of the patient's future reproductive desires. The physician may require the patient to sign an informed consent and waive all damages related to the sterilization procedure. If a patient wishes to have a sterilization procedure unrelated to any underlying medical condition, the physician cannot deny the patient based on age, number of children, or the physician's perception of the patient's future reproductive desires without referring the patient to another physician who is willing to conduct the procedure. The bill also states that a patient who proceeds with sterilization treatment against medical advice cannot have a civil right of action against any healthcare provider or institution, unless there was purposeful, reckless, or negligent behavior on the part of the provider or institution.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 151:21