Bill > HB2041

This bill aims to provide greater consistency in the provision of health care services for minors under the age of 16. The key provisions include: 1. Lowering the age of consent for minors to access certain health care services, such as treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and mental health/substance use disorder treatment, from 14 to 16 years old. 2. Requiring parental consent for outpatient treatment of minors under the age of 16, except for certain exceptions. 3. Prohibiting parents or legal guardians from being held financially responsible for an abortion received by a minor under 16 without their consent, and preventing state funds from being used to allow a minor under 16 to terminate a pregnancy without parental consent, except in cases where the minor's life is in imminent danger. 4. Abolishing the "mature minor rule" that previously allowed minors under 16 to provide informed consent for health care procedures, with some exceptions provided by law. The bill aims to create more consistent policies around minors' access to various health care services, balancing the need for parental involvement with the ability for older minors to access certain sensitive services independently.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2041&Year=2021&Initiative=false