It is well settled law that a minor cannot consent to health care services and treatment unless an exception applies. So what is the impact of the latest legislative changes in the form of the “Parents’ Bill of Rights”? This new law, Florida Statutes Chapter 1014, should not substantially change the way health care providers interact with minors. It may however provide a more unified approach to parents’ rights to both making health care decisions and obtain access to the medical records of their minor children.
Below is a summary of the new Parents’ Bill of Rights law and the potential considerations and challenges for health care providers.
SUMMARY OF THE NEW LAW
The Parents’ Bill of Rights essentially prohibits infringement upon the fundamental rights of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of a minor child. The legislature believes that important information relating to a minor child should not be withheld, either inadvertently or purposefully, from his/her parent. Under this new law, parental rights include, but are not limited to:Continue reading
