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 Introduced by Doug Campbell and 4 co-sponsors

Bill SF 120 allows minors to consent to medical care for STDs but requires parental consent for vaccinations, impacting healthcare access and public health strategies.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 304.

#competency #diseases #immunizations #informedconsent #medicalcare #minors #sexuallytransmitteddiseases

Bill Overview

Bill Number: SF 120
Title: 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.
Status: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 304.
Introduced: January 23, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject Areas: Competency, Diseases, Immunizations, Informed Consent, Medical Care, Minors, Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill SF 120 is to clarify the legal capacity of minors to consent to medical care related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections. Specifically, the bill aims to establish that while minors can consent to medical care for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of STDs, they do not have the legal capacity to consent to vaccinations for these diseases.

Key Provisions

Consent for Medical Care:

Minors are granted the legal capacity to consent to medical care or services for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases or infections.
This consent can be given without the need for approval from a parent, guardian, or any other individual.

Vaccination Exception:

The bill explicitly states that minors do not have the legal capacity to consent to vaccinations for sexually transmitted diseases or infections. This means that a parent or guardian's consent will be required for such vaccinations.

Healthcare Provider Requirements:

Medical care or services must be provided by or under the supervision of a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner.

Non-disaffirmance Clause:

Consent given by a minor for medical care under this bill cannot be later disaffirmed due to the minor's age.

Impact

Who is Affected:

This bill primarily affects minors seeking medical care for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as healthcare providers who will be responsible for administering such care.
Parents and guardians will retain the authority to consent to vaccinations for sexually transmitted diseases, which may impact public health strategies regarding vaccination programs.

Legislative Timeline

January 23, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Health and Human Services Committee.

January 30, 2025: Subcommittee formed, consisting of members Salmon, Petersen, and Pike.

February 4, 2025: Subcommittee meeting held to discuss the bill.

February 6, 2025: Subcommittee recommends passage of the bill.

February 13, 2025: Committee report approving the bill; it is renumbered as SF 304.

This summary provides an overview of Bill SF 120, detailing its intent, key provisions, and potential impacts on minors and healthcare practices regarding sexually transmitted diseases.

Bill