Senate Human Services hears bill to guarantee parent access to minor’s medical exam room

House Bill 1450, introduced to the Senate Human Services Committee, would add a section to Chapter 14-10 declaring that a parent or guardian “has full access to an examination room in which their child is receiving care,” requires notice of parents’ rights, allows a privacy screen and requires written notice before standardized questions not related to the visit are asked of a minor.

The bill was introduced by Representative Sue Ann Olson, who told the committee the measure is “a simple but important bill that protects parents' rights in medical exam rooms.” Olson said the bill would require providers to give parents written notice of the categories of questions that may be asked, whether answers will be recorded or shared, and a right to opt out of questions unrelated to the purpose of the visit.

Supporters told lawmakers the proposal would stop parents from being excluded from exam rooms in routine visits. Matt Flanders, legislative and policy director at Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom, described cases reported to his organization in which parents said they…