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HB 173

Parental Rights

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Robbie Brackett and 2 co-sponsors

HB 173 strengthens parental rights by requiring consent for minors' health services, including maternal health, mental health, and substance abuse treatments in Florida.

Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda
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Bill Summary · HB 173

Summary of HB 173: Parental Rights

Bill Number: HB 173
Title: Parental Rights
Status: Now in Health & Human Services Committee
Introduced: October 15, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject: Public Health

Purpose and Intent

HB 173 aims to enhance parental rights concerning the health care and treatment of minors in Florida. The bill seeks to ensure that parents or guardians have a significant role in consenting to various health services and treatments for their children, particularly in areas related to maternal health, mental health, and substance abuse.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several amendments to existing Florida Statutes, which can be summarized as follows:

  1. Maternal Health and Contraceptive Services (Amends s. 381.0051, F.S.)

    • Requires parental consent for minors to receive maternal health and contraceptive services, unless the minor is married, a parent, pregnant, or at risk of health hazards.

  2. Consent for Treatment of Sexually Transmissible Diseases (Amends s. 384.30, F.S.)

    • Mandates that parental consent is required for minors to receive treatment for sexually transmissible diseases, although minors can still seek examination without parental consent.

  3. Mental Health Treatment Consent (Amends s. 394.459, F.S.)

    • Requires express and informed consent from a parent or guardian for minors seeking mental health treatment, with specific information to be provided before consent is obtained.

  4. Repeal of Outpatient Crisis Intervention Services (Repeals s. 394.4784, F.S.)

    • Eliminates the provision that allowed minors to access outpatient crisis intervention services without parental consent.

  5. Mobile Response Team Services (Amends s. 394.495, F.S.)

    • Requires parental consent for services provided by mobile response teams to minors.

  6. Substance Abuse Services (Amends s. 397.431, F.S.)

    • Revises the responsibility for costs associated with certain substance abuse services.

  7. School District Requirements (Amends s. 1001.42, F.S.)

    • Mandates that school districts provide parents with information before administering certain questionnaires to students and allows parents to opt their children out of such surveys.

  8. Biofeedback Device Consent (Amends s. 1014.04, F.S.)

    • Establishes that parents must consent in writing for the use of biofeedback devices on their minor children, with results treated as confidential medical records.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Minors: The bill directly impacts minors seeking health services, requiring parental involvement in their treatment decisions.
  • Parents/Guardians: The legislation enhances the rights of parents and guardians to make informed decisions regarding their children's health care.
  • Health Care Providers: Medical professionals and facilities will need to comply with the new consent requirements outlined in the bill.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was filed on October 15, 2025, and has been referred to multiple committees, including the Health & Human Services Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Education & Employment Committee. As of October 21, 2025, it is currently under consideration in the Health & Human Services Committee.

Conclusion

HB 173 seeks to strengthen parental rights in the context of minors' health care decisions, emphasizing the necessity of parental consent for various medical treatments and services. The bill reflects a significant shift in how health services for minors are administered in Florida, aiming to ensure that parents are actively involved in their children's health care choices.

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

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