HB 1197

                                                             Introduced Version
           HOUSE BILL No. 1197
                 _____
              DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 25-22.5-6-2.2.
Synopsis: Hysterectomy and oophorectomy informed consent.
Requires a physician to provide certain information to a patient and
obtain oral and written consent before a hysterectomy or an
oophorectomy may be performed. Allows for an exception in an
emergency. Allows for the modification of an informed consent form
by the patient and specifies requirements for the modification.
Effective: July 1, 2026.
                              Borders
   January 5, 2026, read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health.
2026  IN 1197—LS 6611/DI 104
                                                                                       Introduced
            Second Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2026)
 PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
 Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
 additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
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 provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
 word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
 a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
  Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
 between statutes enacted by the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
                   HOUSE BILL No. 1197
    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
 professions and occupations.
     Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1    SECTION 1. IC 25-22.5-6-2.2 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
2 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
3 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 2.2. (a) Except as provided in
4 subsection (c), when a physician recommends a hysterectomy or an
5 oophorectomy, the physician shall obtain oral and written
6 informed consent from the patient. The informed consent
7 procedure must ensure that the following information is given to
8 the patient at least two (2) weeks before the surgery is scheduled:
9      (1) Notice that the individual is free to withhold or withdraw
10      consent to the procedure at any time before the hysterectomy
11      or oophorectomy without affecting the right to future care or
12      treatment and without loss or withdrawal of any state or
13      federally funded program benefits to which the individual
14      might be otherwise entitled.
15      (2) A copy of the DVD entitled "Female Anatomy: The
16      Functions of the Female Organs" produced by the
17      Hysterectomy Educational Resources and Services (HERS)
 2026  IN 1197—LS 6611/DI 104
                                  2
1      Foundation, including a printed transcript of the text of the
2      DVD.
3      (3) A copy of the pamphlet entitled "An Introduction to
4      Hysterectomy: What Every Woman Needs to Know"
5      produced by the HERS Foundation.
6      (4) A color copy of the following diagrams:
7(A) The female pelvic organs.
8(B) Supporting structures of the female pelvic organs.
9(C) Nerve supply to the uterus and ovaries.
10(D) Arteries and veins that provide blood supply to the
11female pelvic organs.
12    (b) The patient shall sign a written statement before the
13 hysterectomy or oophorectomy is performed, indicating the patient
14 has read the written information provided under subsection (a),
15 and that this information has been discussed by the patient and the
16 surgeon. The informed consent statement must indicate that the
17 patient has been advised by the patient's surgeon that the effects of
18 the hysterectomy are irreversible and the patient will be unable to
19 conceive. A patient may modify the consent form to require the
20 surgeon to stop the surgery and suture any open wounds under
21 specified circumstances. If the consent form is modified under this
22 subsection:
23      (1) any modification to the consent form must be
24      acknowledged with the initials of both the patient and the
25      surgeon on the consent form; and
26      (2) the surgeon shall provide the patient with a written copy
27      of the modified consent form with the acknowledgment
28      required under subdivision (1).
29    (c) The informed consent procedure under this section is not
30 required when the hysterectomy is performed in a life threatening
31 emergency situation in which the physician determines prior
32 written informed consent is not possible.
33    (d) If, after a hearing, the board finds that a physician or
34 surgeon has not complied with this section, the physician is subject
35 to disciplinary sanctions under IC 25-1-9.
 2026  IN 1197—LS 6611/DI 104