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Debate in Human Services hearing pits parental access bill against pediatricians’ concerns over confidential adolescent care
Summary
House Bill 14-50 would require providers to allow parents or guardians into a minor's medical exam room and give written notice of certain screening questions; supporters said the bill protects parental rights while medical groups warned it would reduce confidential time clinicians need to detect abuse, mental health risks and risky behavior.
House Human Services Committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 14-50, which would add a section to chapter 14-10 clarifying that a parent or guardian has access to the medical examination room of their minor child and requiring providers to give notice of that right and of the questions they intend to ask. Representative Sue Ann Olson (District 8), sponsor of the bill, said the measure is “a simple but important bill that protects parents' rights in medical exam rooms.”
Supporters told the committee that parents should be present to protect children and to know how answers will be recorded; Matt Flanders, legislative and policy director at Citizens' Council for Health Freedom, argued that parents should decide whether their child receives confidential…
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