HB4876 - ABORTION/GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE

1 Co-Sponsor

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that "abused child" includes a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent denies the child access to necessary medical care, including, but not limited to, primary care services, abortion services, or gender-affirming services. Amends the Consent by Minors to Health Care Services Act. Specifies that consent to the performance of abortion services and gender-affirming services executed by a minor is not voidable because of such minority. Removes a requirement that, in order for a minor seeking care to be deemed to have the same legal capacity to act and have the same powers and obligations as a person of legal age, the minor seeking care is identified in writing as a minor seeking care by an adult relative; a representative of a homeless service agency that receives federal, State, county, or municipal funding to provide those services or that is otherwise sanctioned by a local continuum of care; an attorney licensed to practice law in this State; a public school homeless liaison or school social worker; a social service agency providing services to at risk, homeless, or runaway youth; or a representative of a religious organization. Provides that a health care professional rendering abortion services and gender-affirming services shall not incur civil or criminal liability for failure to obtain valid consent or professional discipline for failure to obtain valid consent if the health care professional relied in good faith on representations made by the minor.