For Immediate Release: July 7, 2023

Contact: Jessica Ann, 573-751-5282

Senator Lauren Arthur’s Legislation to Prohibit Examinations on Anaesthetized Patients Signed into Law

JEFFERSON CITY – Anaesthetized patients will no longer have to fear unauthorized examinations thanks to legislation sponsored by State Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, and signed into law on July 6.

One of the provisions in Senate Bill 106 prohibits doctors, residents and medical students from performing prostate, anal and pelvic examinations on a patient who is anaesthetized or unconscious without prior explicit and informed consent.

“This new law will benefit some of our state’s most vulnerable populations, from sexual assault survivors and new moms, to workers with disabilities and low-income families,” said Sen. Arthur. “I was pleased to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance these policies that will help support and protect the well-being and safety of Missourians.”

This recently signed law also extends MO HealthNet coverage for postpartum women to one year after birth, establishes a transitional benefits program for TANF and SNAP recipients to help move them toward independence and streamlines the process to apply for social services benefits. The policy also expands the Hand Up pilot program, enabling individuals whose income exceeds the maximum allowed to qualify for child care assistance to pay using an earnings-based sliding scale.

Additionally, SB 106 permits disabled individuals to earn income without losing benefits through the Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program, authorizes and implements the competitive integrated employment services with the Missouri Employment First Act and approves behavioral health services for accused persons who may lack mental fitness to undergo judicial proceedings.

This legislation also contains provisions that expand health insurance coverage for breast cancer exams and create a program to provide forgivable loans for education expenses for health care, mental health, and public health professionals. The measure supports efforts to test for lead and educate the public on lead exposure. Finally, SB 106 allows patients under 19 to have Do Not Resuscitate orders issued on their behalf by a parent, legal guardian or a juvenile or family court.

To learn more about Sen. Arthur, visit her official Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Arthur.

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