Louisiana lawmakers review age of consent laws after complex case discussions

A critical discussion on age consent laws took center stage during the Senate Health and Welfare Meeting on June 8, 2025, as lawmakers grappled with the complexities surrounding minors' rights to make medical decisions. The conversation highlighted a significant gap in Louisiana law regarding the age at which a child can consent to medical treatment without parental knowledge.

Representative Horton emphasized the need for a clear age limit, suggesting that the current law, which allows minors as young as 12 to make decisions, poses serious risks. "We need to have an age to where they won't look at a 12-year-old and think that they are old enough to make their own decisions," he stated, advocating for a minimum age of 17 for medical consent.

The discussion was fueled by alarming anecdotes, including a case where parents had to seek legal intervention after their 13-year-old daughter consented to treatment for depression without their knowledge. This situation underscores the urgent need to address what some lawmakers described as a loophole that hospitals may exploit, potentially putting children in vulnerable positions.

As the meeting progressed, Morgan LaMondre from Star raised additional concerns regarding medical records and the implications of the proposed amendments. The dialogue reflects a growing recognition among legislators of the need to protect minors while ensuring that parents remain involved in critical health decisions.

The meeting concluded with a call to adopt amendments aimed at closing these legal gaps, signaling a potential shift in Louisiana's approach to minors' medical consent. As lawmakers continue to deliberate, the outcomes of these discussions could have lasting implications for families across the state.