Bill > HB1176

This bill proposes to modify several existing laws to provide greater consistency in health care services for minors, specifically raising the age of independent medical consent from 14 to 17 years old. The bill changes multiple sections of Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to standardize that minors aged 17 and older can independently consent to various medical treatments, including sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, inpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and outpatient services, without parental consent. Additionally, the bill adds new provisions that prevent parents from being held financially responsible for services like abortions that they did not consent to and abolishes the "mature minor rule" which previously allowed some minors under 17 to provide informed consent for medical procedures. The legislation also includes specific requirements for notification of parents when a minor 17 or older is admitted to treatment facilities, with some restrictions on disclosure, particularly for substance use disorder treatments. The bill aims to create more uniform and restrictive guidelines for medical consent among minors, prioritizing parental involvement and consent for those under 17 years of age.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1176&Year=2025&Initiative=false