Consent to medical treatment; age at which minor may consent to medical treatment revised, exceptions further provided for

HB 267 raises the age at which most minors can independently consent to medical, dental, and mental health care from 14 to 18 years old, affecting teenagers aged 14-17. Exceptions allow minors to consent to pregnancy-related care, STI treatment, and substance abuse services regardless of age, and maintain existing exceptions for married, divorced, pregnant, or emancipated minors. The bill also requires schools to obtain annual parental written consent for mental health services (replacing current opt-in rules) and prohibits healthcare providers from denying parents access to their minor child’s health records, except in specific cases like court orders or criminal investigations. Parents retain the fundamental right to make healthcare decisions for their minor children under this bill.