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SF 304

A bill for an act providing an exception to a minor’s legal capacity to consent to the provision of medical care or services for a sexually transmitted disease or infection.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa bill allows minors to independently consent to STI/STD medical treatment without parental involvement, prioritizing teen health access over parental notification.

Signed by Governor.
#competency #diseases #immunizations #informedconsent #medicalcare #minors #sexuallytransmitteddiseases
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Bill Summary · SF 304

Legislative bill overview

SF 304 creates a legal exception allowing minors to independently consent to medical treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs/STIs) without parental notification or consent. This expands minors' autonomous medical decision-making rights in a specific health context, removing the standard requirement that parents authorize their children's medical care.

Why is this important

Access to STI testing and treatment is a public health priority, as delays caused by parental notification requirements can allow infections to progress, cause complications, and increase transmission rates. This bill directly addresses a barrier that may prevent adolescents from seeking timely medical care due to fear of parental disclosure or disapproval.

Potential points of contention

  • Parental rights and authority: Opponents argue parents have a fundamental right and responsibility to know about their minor children's medical conditions and treatment, and that this exception undermines parental authority
  • Age and maturity thresholds: Questions about whether all minors (or only those above a certain age) should have this autonomous decision-making capacity, and whether minors can truly understand implications
  • Scope concerns: Debate over whether this exception should apply only to diagnosis/treatment or also to preventive care, and whether it should extend to related counseling or partner notification

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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