Notice is hereby given that the Board of Osteopathic Medicine has received a Petition for Declaratory Statement filed on behalf of The Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, Inc., Ronald Joseph Renuart Sr., D.O., The Florida Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Inc., The Florida Medical Association, The Florida Academy of Family Physicians, Inc., The Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Inc., The Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians, Inc., and The Florida Society of Dermatologists and Dermatologic Surgeons, Inc., on July 21, 2020. Petitioners seek a Declaratory Statement regarding the application of Section 456.51, Florida Statutes. This legislation, which became effective on July 1, 2020, prohibits health care practitioners, medical students, or any other students receiving training as a health care practitioner from performing a pelvic examination on a patient (in most instances) without the written consent of the patient or the patient’s legal representative. The Petitioner seeks clarification as to the scope of the mandate and as to how it applies in particular circumstances. The Board will consider this petition at its meeting currently scheduled for August 21, 2020. Except for good cause shown, motions for leave to intervene must be filed within 21 days after publication of this notice. Copies of the petition may be obtained by writing Kama Monroe, J.D., Executive Director, Board of Osteopathic Medicine, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3256, or from MQA.osteopath@flhealth.gov.
