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HB 1906

TO REQUIRE WRITTEN CONSENT OF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN WHEN PRESCRIBING LONG-ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTION TO A PERSON WHO IS YOUNGER THAN EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robin Lundstrum

HB 1906 required parental consent for prescribing long-acting reversible contraception to minors under 18, impacting healthcare access and reinforcing parental authority.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 1906

Summary of House Bill 1906

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HB 1906
  • Title: To Require Written Consent of a Parent or Legal Guardian When Prescribing Long-Acting Reversible Contraception to a Person Who is Younger Than Eighteen Years of Age
  • Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
  • Introduced: March 31, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1906 aimed to establish a requirement for healthcare providers to obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian before prescribing long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) to individuals under the age of eighteen. The bill sought to ensure parental involvement in decisions regarding contraceptive methods for minors, reflecting a policy approach that emphasizes parental rights in healthcare decisions for their children.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed the following amendments to existing Arkansas law:

  1. Consent Requirement:

    • Healthcare providers would be mandated to obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian prior to prescribing LARC to individuals younger than eighteen years of age.

  2. Exemption for Emancipated Minors:

    • The consent requirement would not apply if the individual is an emancipated minor, allowing those who have legally attained independence to make their own healthcare decisions regarding contraception.

  3. Amendment to Existing Laws:

    • The bill sought to amend Arkansas Code § 20-16-304(1) and add a new section (20-9-607) to Title 20, Chapter 9, Subchapter 6, to incorporate these consent requirements into the state's family planning policies.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1906 would have affected:
- Healthcare Providers: They would need to implement new procedures to ensure compliance with the consent requirement.
- Minors Seeking Contraception: Individuals under eighteen would face additional barriers to accessing LARC, as they would need to involve a parent or guardian in the decision-making process.
- Parents and Guardians: The bill would reinforce parental authority over minors' reproductive health decisions.

Legislative Timeline

  • March 31, 2025: Bill filed.
  • April 1, 2025: Bill read for the first time, rules suspended, read a second time, and referred to the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor.
  • May 5, 2025: Bill died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Conclusion

House Bill 1906 was a legislative effort to regulate access to long-acting reversible contraception for minors in Arkansas by requiring parental consent. Although it did not progress beyond the committee stage, the bill highlighted ongoing discussions about parental rights and minors' access to reproductive health services.

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

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