RALEIGH – The North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 519 today, which would take away young people’s ability to consent to certain health care without parental permission.
People under eighteen are currently able to consent to specific health services without parent permission, such as mental health treatment and birth control. The bill would eliminate these exceptions and force minors to either get parental permission for the medical care or to go without.
Several doctors spoke in committee hearings against the bill, arguing that HB 519 will make it more difficult to serve minor patients’ best interests.
“It is critically important that young people be able to access care, information, and resources about their health and their bodies,” said Liz Barber, director of policy and advocacy for the ACLU of North Carolina. “This bill will only make it harder for young people to access the care they need. When it comes to young people’s health and well-being, we should continue to prioritize the best interest of the young person as we do under current law and reject attempts to undermine their right to access essential confidential care.”
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