Alabama House passes bill raising medical age of consent to 16

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that raised the age of medical consent from 14 to 16.

SB 101, sponsored by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscambia, would require parental consent for medical, dental, and mental health services for minors under 16 and prohibit health care providers and governmental entities from denying parents access to a child’s health record.

“Fourteen-year-olds’ brains are not fully formed. We don’t let 14-year-olds get a tattoo or vote,” Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, who handled the legislation, said. “We want parents engaged in the process.”

The House Health Committee approved the legislation on April 23 with a substitute that allows a child to receive emergency mental health treatment without the parent’s consent. The substitute passed the House 85-0.

The bill provides several exemptions to the age of consent requirement. Minors under 16 who are pregnant or emancipated can make their own medical decisions. Minors under 16 can also consent to services related to sexually transmitted diseases and alcohol or drug misuse. Health care professionals would also be allowed to provide emergency services without parental consent under specific circumstances, including imminent threats to the minor’s health, suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, offered an amendment that requires parental consent for individualized counseling. The amendment was adopted 87-0 with 14 abstentions. 

“It also spills over into the area of education, so just for some clarity there on what’s allowed and what’s not allowed,” Shaver said. 

The bill passed 85-0 with 18 abstentions. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. The last day of legislative session is May 14.