Sec. 729 — Chaperones for certain sensitive examinations at military medical treatment facilities

Statutory text

Section 1074d of title 10, United States Code, is amended—(1)by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and(2)by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b):

(b) Chaperone

(1) The Secretary shall ensure that a chaperone is present at any sensitive examination performed by an obstetrician-gynecologist at a military medical treatment facility.

(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—(A)establish qualifications for a covered individual to serve as a chaperone;(B)provide appropriate training to chaperones;(C)require chaperones to maintain patient confidentiality except with respect to mandatory reporting of any suspected inappropriate activity under processes established by the Secretary; and(D)ensure a patient may request a different chaperone for any reason (and reschedule the sensitive examination if no other chaperone is available).

(3) In this subsection:(A)The term covered individual means—(i)a member of the armed forces or a civilian employee who is a health-care professional (as defined in section 1094 of this title);(ii)a resident or student covered under a formal training agreement;(iii)a technician, a health care para-professional, or medical support assistant; or(iv)a volunteer at a military medical treatment facility.(B)The term sensitive examination means a medical examination, treatment, or procedure of the genitalia, rectum, or female breasts, or a forensic health care examination..