DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 256 Original 2024 Regular Session Horton
Abstract: Requires parental consent for medical or surgical care or services performed on a minor,
except in cases of emergency.
Present law provides that consent to the provision of medical or surgical care or services by a
hospital or public clinic, or to the performance of medical or surgical care or services by a physician,
licensed to practice medicine in this state, when executed by a minor who is or believes himself to
be afflicted with an illness or disease, shall be valid and binding as if the minor had achieved his
majority.
Proposed law clarifies that the age requirement provided in present law for the age of majority is the
age of 18.
Proposed law requires parental consent for medical or surgical care or services performed on a minor
and executed by any healthcare professional licensed to practice in this state, except in cases of
emergency.
Proposed law clarifies that for the purposes of proposed law, a medical procedure shall not be
deemed an emergency if it is an elective procedure requested or suggested by either the physician
or minor.
(Amends R.S. 40:1079.1(A); Adds R.S. 40:1079.1.1)