Consent by minors to treatment for intimate partner violence.

(1) Existing law authorizes a minor who is 12 years of age or older and is alleged to have been raped, or a minor who is alleged to have been sexually assaulted, to consent to medical care related to the diagnosis and treatment of the condition and the collection of medical evidence with regard to the alleged rape or sexual assault. This bill would authorize a minor who is 12 years of age or older and who states he or she is injured as a result of intimate partner violence, as defined, to consent to medical care related to the diagnosis or treatment of the injury and the collection of medical evidence with regard to the alleged intimate partner violence. The bill would specify that this provision would not apply to a case in which a minor is an alleged victim of rape or is alleged to have been sexually assaulted, in which case the above-described provisions would apply. (2) Existing law requires a health practitioner who works in a certain type of health facility and provides medical services for a patient he or she knows or reasonably suspects is suffering from an injury caused by a firearm or assaultive or abusive conduct to make a report to a local law enforcement agency about the patient and the extent of the injuries. This bill would require a health practitioner that believes a report is required pursuant to these provisions, when providing treatment to an above-described minor injured as a result of alleged intimate partner violence, to inform the minor that the report will be made and attempt to contact the minor's parent or guardian and inform him or her of the report, except as specified.