HF4515

Purpose

• Establish a task force to study and address pain experienced by women during certain medical procedures, with the goal of reducing how often these procedures are needed or finding safer alternatives. The task force must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

Key definition

• The bill defines “womens medical procedural pain” to include, but not be limited to, the following procedures: cesarean section; cervical biopsy; endometrial biopsy; intrauterine device (IUD) insertion and removal; and hysteroscopy.

Establishment and scope

• A task force is created to collect and analyze data on painful medical procedures affecting women, assess ways to minimize the number of these procedures or identify alternatives, and make legislative recommendations.

Membership

• By July 31, 2026, the following must be appointed to the task force by the Commissioner of Health:
  • Two physicians licensed in Minnesota specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.
  • One physician licensed in Minnesota specializing in internal medicine or family medicine.
  • Two health care professionals licensed in Minnesota with experience in pain management.
  • Five women who have personally experienced medical procedural pain.
  • One ex officio member from the Department of Health.
  • One ex officio member from the Board of Medical Practice.
• Members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for expenses according to Minnesota law.

Duties of the task force

• Collect and analyze data on the specified procedures (cesarean section, cervical biopsy, endometrial biopsy, IUD insertion/removal, hysteroscopy).
• Gather input from women who have experienced procedural pain.
• Gather input from health care professionals who treat these patients.
• Determine how health care providers can minimize these procedures or identify safer or alternative options.
• Make recommendations for legislative action on laws affecting women’s medical procedural pain.

Meetings and administrative support

• The first meeting must be held no later than January 1, 2027, with meeting space and administrative help provided.
• The task force must elect a chair at the first meeting and may elect other officers as needed.
• The task force must set a meeting schedule and meet at least quarterly.
• Meetings are subject to the Open Meeting Law.

Report requirement

• By January 1, 2028, the task force must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative health and human services committees with its findings and recommendations.

Expiration

• The task force expires after it submits the required report.

Significant changes to existing law

• Creates a new, time-limited advisory body (the task force) focused on women’s medical procedural pain and data-driven recommendations.
• Requires formal data collection, stakeholder input (including patient experiences), and a publicly accessible report to legislators.
• Establishes governance and transparency requirements (Open Meeting Law) for the task force’s activities.
• Sets specific appointment timelines and a defined mission tied to particular medical procedures.

Relevant Terms - womens medical procedural pain - cesarean section - cervical biopsy - endometrial biopsy - intrauterine device (IUD) insertion - intrauterine device (IUD) removal - hysteroscopy - task force - Department of Health - Board of Medical Practice - data collection - alternatives - legislative action - health and human services committees - Open Meeting Law - pain management - obstetrics and gynecology - internal medicine - family medicine - ranking minority members