OK
Oklahoma Senate Bill SB958

Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB958

Introduced
2/3/25  

Caption

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.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

OK HB3324

Parents' rights; Parental Consent for Child Healthcare Act of 2024; effective date.

OK HB3214

Health care; granting certain protections to health care institutions and health care payors; civil actions; discrimination; protections; effective date.

OK SB1883

Health care; granting certain protections and immunities to health care institutions and health care payors; prohibiting certain discrimination. Effective date.

OK HB2616

Guardianship and ward; guardians of minors; copy; effective date.

OK HB2616

Guardianship and ward; guardians of minors; copy; effective date.

OK SB887

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.

OK SB887

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.

OK HB1013

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.

OK HB1013

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.

OK SB1563

Schools; modifying rights and procedures under the Parents' Bill of Rights; requiring written consent to provide certain instruction. Effective date. Emergency.

Similar Bills

OK HB2884

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.

TX HB2050

Relating to criminal history record information relating to persons who are certified to provide guardianship services.

TX SB1057

Relating to criminal history record information relating to persons who are certified to provide guardianship services.

UT SB0148

Invisible Condition Information Amendments

UT HB0309

Driver License Amendments

AZ SB1062

Behavioral health professionals; addiction counseling

AZ HB2279

Behavioral health professionals; addiction counseling.

MI HB5072

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.).