Model Bill: Minor’s Right to Consent to Care

This bill shall be known as the “Minor’s Right to Consent to Healthcare Act”

As used in this section:

1. “Health care provider” means any person, corporation, limited liability company, facility or institution operated, owned or licensed by the state to provide health care or other professional services, or an officer, employee or agent thereof acting in the course and scope of employment;
2. “Minor child” means a person who is under eighteen years of age;
3. “Physician” means a physician licensed pursuant to [RELEVANT STATE CODE]; and
4. “Services, examination or treatment related to pregnancy and pregnancy prevention” includes, but is not limited to, contraceptive counseling and services, abortion, miscarriage management, prenatal care and appropriate care and pain management during labor and delivery.

Be it enacted that,

1. Any minor child may give consent for services, examination or of treatment related to pregnancy and pregnancy prevention without the consent or notification of the minor child’s parent or guardian.
2. No physician or other health care provider shall disclose any information concerning the provision to a minor child of such services,examination or treatment, or any consultation for such services,examination or treatment, including, but not limited to, by sending a bill for such services, examination or treatment, to the minor child’s parent or guardian without the minor child’s express consent.
3. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the obligation,if any, of a physician or other health care provider to make a report to [RELEVANT STATE AGENCIES, INCLUDING DEPT OF HEALTH AND DEPT OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES]  or to make any other report or disclosure that may be required pursuant to state law.

This law shall take effect immediately.