Bill
Bill > HB478
MS HB478
MS HB478Minors; prohibit health care providers and institutions from providing health care to without parental consent.
summary
Introduced
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
In Committee
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Amend Section 41-41-3, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Health-care Providers, When A Minor Patient Is Accompanied By A Parent Or Guardian, To Present To The Child's Parent Or Guardian A Written Document Advising The Parent Or Guardian That He Or She Has The Right To Elect To Prevent Persons Other Than Themselves, Another Parent Or Guardian, Or Their Adult Designees From Consenting To Medical Treatment For Their Minor Child; To Provide That The Written Consent Document Shall Also Offer To The Parent Or Guardian The Additional Option To Designate A List Of The Names And Contact Information Of Additional Adults Who The Parent Or Guardian Authorizes To Consent To Treatment For Each Minor Child Listed On The Document; To Prohibit Health-care Institutions And Health-care Providers From Providing Health Care For An Unemancipated Minor Without First Obtaining The Consent Of The Minor's Parent, Guardian Or Other Adult Designated By A Parent Or Guardian As Having Authority To Consent; To Provide That If Neither A Minor's Parent, Guardian, Or Other Parent-designated Adult Has Provided Consent Within 72 Hours After Attempted Contact By The Health-care Institution Or Health-care Provider, Then Any Of Certain Other Persons Who Are Reasonably Available Are Authorized To Consent On Behalf Of The Minor; To Provide For Certain Exceptions To The Requirement Of Obtaining Parental Consent; To Authorize A Parent, Guardian Or Surrogate Of An Unemancipated Minor To Bring Suit For Any Violation Of This Act; To Amend Sections 41-41-17 And 41-42-7, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform To The Preceding Provisions; To Repeal Section 41-41-13, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Provides That A Physician Or Nurse Practitioner May Treat Minors For Venereal Disease Without Parental Consent, And Section 41-41-14, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Provides That A Physician Or Psychologist May Treat Certain Minors For Mental Or Emotional Problems Caused Or Related To Alcohol Or Drugs Without Parental Consent; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill requires healthcare providers in Mississippi to inform parents or guardians of their right to prevent anyone other than themselves, another parent/guardian, or an adult designee from consenting to medical treatment for their minor child, and offers the option to designate specific adults for consent. Healthcare institutions and providers are prohibited from treating an unemancipated minor (a minor not legally independent) without consent from a parent, guardian, or a designated adult, unless an exception applies, such as in emergencies or for certain mental health treatments. If contact with a parent, guardian, or designated adult fails within 72 hours, other specified individuals can consent. The bill also allows parents, guardians, or surrogates to sue for violations and repeals existing laws that allowed minors to receive treatment for venereal disease or certain alcohol/drug-related mental health issues without parental consent.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0478.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0400-0499/HB0478IN.htm |
Loading...