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Senate approves measure affirming parental rights to consent to minors' mental‑health or substance‑use care
Summary
House File 2523 (as amended) affirms that parents and guardians may consent to evaluation, counseling, therapy or treatment for a minor child even over the child's objection in certain circumstances; the Senate adopted Senate Amendment 5121 and passed the bill unanimously.
Senator Alans described House File 2523 and Senate Amendment 5121 as a measure to address the frequent situation where parents cannot obtain evaluation or treatment for minors who refuse care. The amendment clarifies parental consent rights and limits expansion of court commitment laws.
"This amendment focuses on early voluntary parental consent rather than expanding court commitment laws," Senator Alans said, urging colleagues to support the amendment and the bill. Senators Donahue and Weiner spoke in support, with Weiner saying, "This bill will literally save lives." The Senate adopted the amendment and passed the bill on final reading (47 ayes, 0 nays).
