Health providers: medical chaperones.

Assembly Member Soria's medical chaperone legislation establishes new requirements for healthcare providers conducting sensitive ultrasound examinations in California, mandating that patients be informed of their right to request a trained observer during these procedures.

The measure requires providers to notify patients about chaperone availability through written documentation, electronic communication, or verbal discussion. Providers must document a chaperone's presence in patient health records when requested and may decline to perform examinations without a chaperone if they deem one necessary. The bill defines sensitive examinations as ultrasounds of genitalia, breast, rectum, pubic, or groin regions performed by certified sonographers.

Healthcare facilities must educate sonographers and staff who serve as medical chaperones on proper observation techniques, patient draping procedures, maintaining neutrality, and protocols for reporting inappropriate conduct. While emergency service providers must inform patients about chaperone availability when feasible, they face modified requirements given the urgent nature of care. The provisions take effect January 1, 2027, allowing facilities time to implement training programs and notification systems.