Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1307

Introduced
4/28/25  

Caption

In general provisions relating to children and minors, providing for contracting and consent by certain minors.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1307 would significantly alter the legal landscape regarding minors' rights. Under this bill, minors aged 16 and older who are homeless or self-supporting could independently consent to various contractual agreements. This change is expected to expand access to housing, employment opportunities, and other essential services, possibly reducing the vulnerability of these minors. By acknowledging their capacity to make decisions in critical situations, the bill also seeks to enhance the protection and welfare of homeless minors, aligning state laws with the realities many of them face.

Summary

House Bill 1307 aims to amend the Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by introducing provisions that allow certain minors, particularly those who are homeless, to enter contracts related to housing, employment, and access to services without parental consent under specified conditions. The bill recognizes that homeless minors often lack stable support systems and could benefit from the ability to make significant decisions independently. This empowerment is crucial in addressing their unique circumstances, enabling them to access necessary resources and support promptly.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1307 appears to be generally supportive among child welfare advocates and organizations focused on homelessness. Proponents argue that giving homeless minors the ability to make decisions regarding their welfare empowers them and is necessary for their safety and well-being. However, there may be concerns raised by some legislators regarding the potential implications of granting such legal permissions to minors. Critics could argue about the maturity of minors in making such decisions and the risks of exploitation or misjudgment without parental guidance.

Contention

While the bill is largely framed as a progressive measure to support vulnerable youth, concerns arise regarding the balance between independence and protection. Opponents might highlight the potential for abuse or the inadequacy of minors to adequately judge situations involving their safety or financial wellbeing. Additionally, there might be discussions on the responsibilities placed on service providers and the legal framework regarding liability when minors engage in self-directed agreements. These contentions reflect broader societal debates on youth autonomy and the role of parents in the lives of minors facing acute crises.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB730

In general provisions relating to children and minors, providing for contracting and consent by certain minors.

PA HB2017

Providing for protection of minors on social media; and imposing penalties.

PA SB22

Providing for protection of minors on social media; and imposing penalties.

PA HB350

In proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for hearing, for alternative procedure for relinquishment and for hearing; in support matters generally, further providing for paternity and for continuing jurisdiction over support orders; in general provisions relating to children and minors, repealing provisions relating to acknowledgment and claim of paternity; in jurisdiction, further providing for bases for jurisdiction over nonresident; enacting the Uniform Parentage Act; and providing for parent-child relationship for certain individuals, for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, for genetic testing, for proceeding to adjudicate parentage, for assisted reproduction, for surrogacy agreements and for information about donors.

PA SB1083

In minors, further providing for the offense of sexual abuse of children and for the offense of transmission of sexually explicit images by minor.

PA HB1537

Amending the act of February 13, 1970 (P.L.19, No.10), entitled "An act enabling certain minors to consent to medical, dental and health services, declaring consent unnecessary under certain circumstances," further providing for mental health treatment and for liability for rendering services; and providing for applicability.

PA HB2304

In provisions relating to abortion, repealing provisions relating to short title of chapter and to legislative intent, further providing for definitions, repealing provisions relating to medical consultation and judgment, to informed consent, to parental consent, to abortion facilities, to printed information, to Commonwealth interference prohibited, to spousal notice, to determination of gestational age, to abortion on unborn child of 24 or more weeks gestational age, to infanticide, to prohibited acts and to reporting, further providing for publicly owned facilities, public officials and public funds and for fetal experimentation and repealing provisions relating to civil penalties, to criminal penalties, to State Board of Medicine and State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and to construction; providing for reproductive rights; repealing provisions relating to compliance with Federal health care legislation as to regulation of insurers and related persons generally; imposing penalties; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1725

Amending the act of February 13, 1970 (P.L.19, No.10), entitled "An act enabling certain minors to consent to medical, dental and health services, declaring consent unnecessary under certain circumstances," further providing for individual consent, for mental health treatment and for release of medical records; and providing for parent or legal guardian access to medical records.

PA SB1249

Prohibiting governmental action against parents, legal custodians and legal guardians of minors in the provision of certain information and services to minors; and providing for certain protection from child abuse claims.

PA HB1063

In sexual offenses, providing for the offense of unlawful dissemination of artificially generated depiction; and, in minors, further providing for the offense of sexual abuse of children and for the offense of transmission of sexually explicit images by minor.

Similar Bills

CA AB2375

Homeless children and youths and unaccompanied youths: housing questionnaire.

NJ A4545

Requires State to bear partial cost of transportation of certain homeless students to school.

NJ S3537

Requires State to bear partial cost of transportation of certain homeless students to school.

CA SB1254

Guardians ad litem: mental illnesses.

NJ A3900

Assigns financial responsibility of educating homeless student to district of attendance.

NJ A3321

Assigns financial responsibility of educating homeless student to district of attendance.

CA AB1937

Homeless children and youths and unaccompanied youths: reporting.

VA HB717

Unaccompanied homeless youths; consent for housing services.