Health care; granting certain rights and protections to parents and legal guardians; modifying conditions for self-consent of minors. Effective date.
Impact
If enacted, SB958 would significantly modify how state laws govern healthcare for minors. It would restrict the self-consent capabilities of minors, reinforcing the need for parental involvement unless specific exceptions apply, such as in cases of abuse or when minors seek certain kinds of sensitive medical treatments. This rewiring of consent laws is likely to standardize practices around parental rights across healthcare providers and enhance parents' ability to be notified and involved in their child’s health-related decisions.
Summary
Senate Bill 958 aims to amend various provisions related to healthcare in the state, specifically concerning minors' consent to treatment and parental rights. The bill seeks to clarify the role of parental consent in the healthcare decisions of minors, removing certain conditions previously in place that allowed minors greater autonomy in consenting to treatment. Additionally, it proposes that parents or legal guardians are endowed with specific rights regarding information about their children's healthcare and treatments they undergo, thereby reinforcing their authority in such scenarios.
Contention
The bill might provoke notable contention as it seems to shift the balance of rights more heavily toward parental authority, potentially limiting the privacy and autonomy of minors seeking healthcare. Critics may argue that such changes could deter young people from seeking necessary medical treatment due to fears of parental involvement, especially in cases involving sensitive health issues. Additionally, opponents could also raise concerns about professionals’ obligations under existing privacy laws and the ethical implications of requiring parental consent in scenarios where a minor may feel endangered or uncomfortable disclosing personal health issues to their guardians.
Health care; granting certain protections to health care institutions and health care payors; civil actions; discrimination; protections; effective date.
Health care; granting certain protections and immunities to health care institutions and health care payors; prohibiting certain discrimination. Effective date.
Freedom of conscience; creating the Medical Ethics Defense Act; granting certain rights and protections to certain medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, or healthcare payers. Effective date.
Freedom of conscience; creating the Medical Ethics Defense Act; granting certain rights and protections to certain medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, or healthcare payers. Effective date.
Health care; Lori Brand Patient Bill of Rights Act of 2023; rights of patients; responsibilities of patients; rights of minors; responsibilities of parents; effective date.
Health care; Lori Brand Patient Bill of Rights Act of 2023; rights of patients; responsibilities of patients; rights of minors; responsibilities of parents; effective date.
Schools; modifying rights and procedures under the Parents' Bill of Rights; requiring written consent to provide certain instruction. Effective date. Emergency.
Parental rights in health care; minor child's health care consultations; parental abuse exception; Attorney General enforcement; relief; immunity; physician and psychotherapist patient privilege; minor cannot refuse to disclose information to their parent or legal guardian; disclosure of confidential information, privileges, and testimony in hearings; parent or legal guardian's consent is required; disclosure of information and exceptions; right of self-consent under certain conditions and doctor-patient privileges; minors can consent without a parent or legal guardian; effective date.
Health: electronic records; requirements for security and storage of electronic health records; provide for. Amends secs. 16213, 20175 & 20175a of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16213 et seq.).