Bill > SB90

This bill modifies Alaska state law to allow minors aged 16 and older to independently seek behavioral and mental health treatment under specific conditions. Specifically, a 16-year-old minor can consent to up to five outpatient mental health appointments of 90 minutes each without parental consent, but mental health providers cannot prescribe medication without parental approval. After the fifth appointment, the mental health provider must assess whether obtaining parental consent would be detrimental to the minor's well-being, considering factors such as potential abuse, the minor's maturity, and willingness to continue treatment. If parental consent could harm the minor's mental health, the provider can continue treatment with the minor's written consent, but must re-evaluate this decision every 60 days. The bill also protects the minor's privacy by preventing the provider from disclosing treatment information to parents without the minor's consent. Additionally, the bill allows unaccompanied homeless minors aged 16 or older to seek medical and mental health services by providing documentation from authorized entities verifying their status. The law will take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to ensure that vulnerable teenagers can access necessary mental health support while maintaining safeguards for their well-being.

Health and Social Services

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=SB90