HOUSE BILL NO. 2969 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2959 of the Code of Virginia, relating to supervised training programs; students enrolled in schools of medicine allowed to engage in certain activities; prohibition of unauthorized pelvic exams. ---------- Patron-- Bell ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 54.1-2959 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 54.1-2959. Supervised training programs; students enrolled in schools of medicine allowed to engage in certain activities; prohibition of unauthorized pelvic exams.

A. Students enrolled in schools of medicine may (i) participate in preceptorship programs which are a part of the training program of the medical school; or (ii) practice in clinics, hospitals, educational institutions, private medical offices or other health facilities, in a program approved by the school, under the direct tutorial supervision of a licensed physician who holds an appointment on the faculty of a school of medicine approved by the Board.

B. A physician, surgeon, or student participating in a course of professional instruction or clinical training program shall not perform a pelvic examination on an anesthetized or unconscious female patient unless the patient gives informed consent to such examination, the performance of such examination is within the scope of care ordered for the patient, or in the case of an unconscious patient, the examination is necessary for diagnostic purposes.