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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 24, 2017 09:21 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Pam Snyder and Rep. Jason Ortitay |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Rights of Minors to Consent to Mental Health Treatment (former HB 337) |
| In the near future, we plan to re-introduce legislation – former House Bill 337 of the 2015-16 Legislative Session – amending the Allowing Minors to Consent to Medical Care Act in order to give the Department of Human Services the ability to issue guidelines and promulgate rules and regulations. House Bill 337 passed the House unanimously last session, but was never considered by the Senate. As many of you may know, the Allowing Minors to Consent to Medical Care Act was amended by Act 147 of 2004 to add provisions regarding the rights of a minor, 14 years of age or older, to consent to outpatient mental health examination and treatment. Since its implementation, there has been much confusion among providers, minors, and parents regarding the rights of each party under the law. Our bill further amends the act to give the Department of Human Services the authority to issue guidelines and adopt rules and regulations to clarify a minor’s right to mental health treatment. It is our hope that granting the Department the ability to provide guidance and resolve any uncertainties and ambiguities presented by current Pennsylvania law. Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB381