The bill aims to restore and protect parental rights by amending the consent to treatment authorization for minors in Arkansas. It specifies that any unemancipated minor who is sixteen years of age or older can consent to medical treatment for specific situations, including sexual assault, domestic or physical abuse, substance or alcohol abuse, and human trafficking. This change removes the previous requirement that minors must demonstrate sufficient intelligence to understand the consequences of the treatment.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision allowing unemancipated minors who are capable of understanding the consequences of medical treatment to consent to surgical or medical procedures provided by the Department of Health at local health unit facilities. This amendment emphasizes the importance of ensuring that minors have access to necessary medical care while still recognizing the role of parental rights in the treatment process.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1305 Original - 1-26-2023 03:39 PM: 20-9-602(7), 20-9-602
Old version HB1305 V2 - 2-28-2023 11:38 AM: 20-9-602(7), 20-9-602
HB 1305: 20-9-602(7), 20-9-602