Bill
Bill > S1188
NJ S1188
NJ S1188Lowers age at which minors can consent to behavioral health care treatment from age 16 to age 14.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
12/18/2025
12/18/2025
Crossed Over
12/18/2025
12/18/2025
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Lowers age at which minors can consent to behavioral health care treatment from age 16 to age 14.
AI Summary
This bill lowers the age at which minors can legally consent to behavioral health care treatment, such as therapy for mental illness or emotional disorders, from 16 years old to 14 years old. This means that individuals aged 14 and older can seek and agree to outpatient mental health services without requiring parental or guardian permission, and their treatment will be kept confidential between them and their healthcare provider, similar to existing provisions for consent to treatment for sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, and alcohol use disorders. The bill amends existing law to reflect this change, with the new provision taking effect immediately.
Committee Categories
Education, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee (on 12/18/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1188 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1188_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S1500/1188_U1.HTM |
| Analysis - Statement SHH 2/22/24 SCS S1970 | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S1500/1188_S1.PDF |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S1500/1188_I1.HTM |
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