The bill amends Section 22-8-4 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to establish new requirements regarding the consent needed for minors to receive vaccinations. Specifically, it introduces a new subsection (b) that stipulates that an unemancipated minor cannot give consent for vaccination without the written consent of a parent or legal guardian. This is a significant change from the previous law, which allowed minors aged 14 and older, as well as those who are married, divorced, or pregnant, to consent to medical services without needing parental approval.

Additionally, the bill specifies that an unemancipated minor may only consent to vaccinations if they are either not dependent on a parent or legal guardian for support or are living apart from their parents or another individual acting in loco parentis. The bill removes the previous provisions that allowed minors to consent to health services without parental consent and clarifies the conditions under which minors can give consent for vaccinations. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-8-4, 22-8-4
Engrossed: 22-8-4, 22-8-4