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Bill

S 2915

Lowers age at which minors can consent to behavioral health care treatment from age 16 to age 14.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Raj Mukherji and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill lowers age for independent behavioral health care consent from 16 to 14, expanding teen autonomy while reducing parental involvement in mental health decisions.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
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Bill Summary · S 2915

Legislative bill overview

S 2915 would lower the age of consent for behavioral health care treatment in New Jersey from 16 to 14 years old. This means 14-year-olds could independently seek and receive mental health services, therapy, or counseling without parental notification or consent.

Why is this important

Mental health challenges in adolescents are increasingly common, and earlier access to care can prevent conditions from worsening. However, this directly affects parental rights and family dynamics, raising questions about when minors should have medical autonomy and how to balance teen privacy with parental involvement in healthcare decisions.

Potential points of contention

  • Parental rights vs. teen autonomy: Reduces parents' involvement in their children's mental health decisions, which some view as undermining parental authority while others see as protecting teen privacy and encouraging care-seeking
  • Maturity and decision-making capacity: Questions about whether 14-year-olds have sufficient cognitive development to consent to treatment without parental guidance, and whether they understand long-term implications
  • Insurance and billing: Creates ambiguity about how treatment costs are handled, who receives bills, and how confidentiality intersects with insurance claims parents might see
  • Scope of care: Unclear whether this covers all behavioral health services or is limited to specific treatments, and whether it applies to medication decisions

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

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