[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 42, Volume 1]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 42CFR50.210]



[Page 141-143]

 

                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH

 

    CHAPTER I--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 

                                SERVICES

 

PART 50_POLICIES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY--Table of Contents

 

Subpart B_Sterilization of Persons in Federally Assisted Family Planning 

                                Projects

 

Sec.  50.210  Review of regulation.



    The Secretary will request public comment on the operation of the 

provisions of this subpart not later than 3 years after their effective 

date.



         Appendix to Subpart B of Part 50--Required Consent Form



    Notice: YOUR DECISION AT ANY TIME NOT TO BE STERILIZED WILL NOT 

RESULT IN THE WITHDRAWAL OR WITHHOLDING OF ANY BENEFITS PROVIDED BY 

PROGRAMS OR PROJECTS RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDS.



                        Consent to Sterilization



    I have asked for and received information about sterilization from 

-------------- (doctor or clinic). When I first asked for the 

information, I was told that the decision to be sterilized is completely 

up to me. I was told that I could decide not to be sterilized. If I 

decide not to be sterilized, my decision will not affect my right to 

future care or treatment. I will not lose any help or benefits



[[Page 142]]



from programs receiving Federal funds, such as A.F.D.C. or medicaid that 

I am now getting or for which I may become eligible.

    I UNDERSTAND THAT THE STERILIZATION MUST BE CONSIDERED PERMANENT AND 

NOT REVERSIBLE. I HAVE DECIDED THAT I DO NOT WANT TO BECOME PREGNANT, 

BEAR CHILDREN OR FATHER CHILDREN.

    I was told about those temporary methods of birth control that are 

available and could be provided to me which will allow me to bear or 

father a child in the future. I have rejected these alternatives and 

chosen to be sterilized.

    I understand that I will be sterilized by an operation known as a --

------------. The discomforts, risks and benefits associated with the 

operation have been explained to me. All my questions have been answered 

to my satisfaction.

    I understand that the operation will not be done until at least 30 

days after I sign this form. I understand that I can change my mind at 

any time and that my decision at any time not to be sterilized will not 

result in the withholding of any benefits or medical services provided 

by federally funded programs.

    I am at least 21 years of age and was born on ---- (day), ---- 

(month), ---- (year).

    I, --------------, hereby consent of my own free will to be 

sterilized by -------------- by a method called --------------. My 

consent expires 180 days from the date of my signature below.

    I also consent to the release of this form and other medical records 

about the operation to:

    Representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services or

    Employees of programs or projects funded by that Department but only 

for determining if Federal laws were observed.

    I have received a copy of this form.



Signature_______________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________________________________________________

(Month, day, year)



    You are requested to supply the following information, but it is not 

required:



                     Ethnicity and Race Designation



    Ethnicity:



[squ] Hispanic or Latino

[squ] Not Hispanic or Latino



    Race (mark one or more):



[squ] American Indian or Alaska Native

[squ] Asian

[squ] Black or African American

[squ] Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

[squ] White



                         Interpreter's Statement



    If an interpreter is provided to assist the individual to be 

sterilized:

    I have translated the information and advice presented orally to the 

individual to be sterilized by the person obtaining this consent. I have 

also read him/her the consent form in -------------- language and 

explained its contents to him/her. To the best of my knowledge and 

belief he/she understood this explanation.



Interpreter_____________________________________________________________

Date____________________________________________________________________



                    State of Person Obtaining Consent



    Before -------------- (name of individual), signed the consent form, 

I explained to him/her the nature of the sterilization operation ------

--------, the fact that it is intended to be a final and irreversible 

procedure and the discomforts, risks and benefits associated with it.

    I counseled the individual to be sterilized that alternative methods 

of birth control are available which are temporary. I explained that 

sterilization is different because it is permanent.

    I informed the individual to be sterilized that his/her consent can 

be withdrawn at any time and that he/she will not lose any health 

services or any benefits provided by Federal funds.

    To the best of my knowledge and belief the individual to be 

sterilized is at least 21 years old and appears mentally competent. He/

She knowingly and voluntarily requested to be sterilized and appears to 

understand the nature and consequence of the procedure.



Signature of person obtaining consent___________________________________

Date____________________________________________________________________

Facility________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________



                          Physician's Statement



    Shortly before I performed a sterilization operation upon ----------

---- (name of individual to be sterilized), on ---------- (date of 

sterilization), -------------- (operation), I explained to him/her the 

nature of the sterilization operation -------------- (specify type of 

operation), the fact that it is intended to be a final and irreversible 

procedure and the discomforts, risks and benefits associated with it.

    I counseled the individual to be sterilized that alternative methods 

of birth control are available which are temporary. I explained that 

sterilization is different because it is permanent.

    I informed the individual to be sterilized that his/her consent can 

be withdrawn at any time and that he/she will not lose any health 

services or benefits provided by Federal funds.



[[Page 143]]



    To the best of my knowledge and belief the individual to be 

sterilized is at least 21 years old and appears mentally competent. He/

She knowingly and voluntarily requested to be sterilized and appeared to 

understand the nature and consequences of the procedure.

    (Instructions for use of alternative final paragraphs: Use the first 

paragraph below except in the case of premature delivery or emergency 

abdominal surgery where the sterilization is performed less than 30 days 

after the date of the individual's signature on the consent form. In 

those cases, the second paragraph below must be used. Cross out the 

paragraph which is not used.)

    (1) At least 30 days have passed between the date of the 

individual's signature on this consent form and the date the 

sterilization was performed.

    (2) This sterilization was performed less than 30 days but more than 

72 hours after the date of the individual's signature on this consent 

form because of the following circumstances (check applicable box and 

fill in information requested):



[squ] Premature delivery

Individual's expected date of delivery:_________________________________

[squ] Emergency abdominal surgery:

(Describe circumstances):_______________________________________________



Physician_______________________________________________________________

Date____________________________________________________________________



                    Paperwork Reduction Act Statement



    A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 

required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 

the currently valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this 

collection of information will vary; however, we estimate an average of 

one hour per response, including for reviewing instructions, gathering 

and maintaining the necessary data, and disclosing the information. Send 

any comment regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this 

collection of information to the OS Reports Clearance Officer, ASBTF/

Budget Room 503 HHH Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 

DC 20201.

    Respondents should be informed that the collection of information 

requested on this form is authorized by 42 CFR part 50, subpart B, 

relating to the sterilization of persons in federally assisted public 

health programs. The purpose of requesting this information is to ensure 

that individuals requesting sterilization receive information regarding 

the risks, benefits and consequences, and to assure the voluntary and 

informed consent of all persons undergoing sterilization procedures in 

federally assisted public health programs. Although not required, 

respondents are requested to supply information on their race and 

ethnicity. Failure to provide the other information requested on this 

consent form, and to sign this consent form, may result in an inability 

to receive sterilization procedures funded through federally assisted 

public health programs.

    All information as to personal facts and circumstances obtained 

through this form will be held confidential, and not disclosed without 

the individual's consent, pursuant to any applicable confidentiality 

regulations.



[43 FR 52165, Nov. 8, 1978, as amended at 58 FR 33343, June 17, 1993; 68 

FR 12308, Mar. 14, 2003]