Medical Safety Chaperone Act Signed into Law

• Brody Fernandez
• (916) 276-3390
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria's Medical Safety Chaperone Act (AB 849) was signed into law today by Governor Newsom-a law that will help to protect patients in hospitals.

"Five years ago, a properly trained chaperone could have protected me from being sexually assaulted by an ultrasound technician at the Los Banos hospital," said survivor Celi Gonzalez. "Thanks to the unwavering support of Assemblywoman Soria, the Medical Safety Chaperone Act will ensure women like me in the future will have an ally in the room with us. On behalf of myself, and my fellow survivors-we are so grateful for Assemblywoman Soria and her belief in us. Now, it will be more difficult for professionals in their position of power to hurt women like us, as patients."

The Medical Safety Chaperone Act will require certain healthcare facilities that offer ultrasounds to notify patients that a medical chaperone will be provided upon their request, before conducting an ultrasound of a sensitive area. It will also establish new standards for chaperone training, to ensure that hospital staff are educated on how to identify inappropriate behavior and protect patient safety.

"I'm grateful to all those women who stood up, spoke out, fought back, at a time in their life that was most difficult to do so, in face of sexual assault. When you're under the care of medical professionals at a hospital-you should automatically feel safe,"Soria said. "That's why we worked tirelessly all year, focusing on prevention measures, and adequate training for medical chaperones. All of our work has now paid off, and this law will help to protect all patients in our hospitals throughout California."

The Medical Safety Chaperone Act's provisions protect the physical and psychological safety of patients in vulnerable situations, while enhancing the trust and transparency that is crucial to the patient-provider relationship.

For the latest information on our legislative bill package, please visit our website and social media accounts.

Facebook: @Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria

Instagram: @asmesmeraldasoria

BlueSky: @esmeraldasoria.bsky.social

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Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria represents the 27th Assembly District, which includes communities in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties.