House Bill 173 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to strengthen parental rights concerning the health care decisions of minors. Key provisions include the requirement for parental or guardian consent for a minor's treatment for sexually transmissible diseases and for services provided by mobile response teams during mental health crises. The bill repeals a previous provision that allowed minors to access outpatient crisis intervention services without parental consent. Additionally, it mandates that school districts inform parents about any health-related questionnaires administered to students, allowing parents the opportunity to opt their children out of participation.

The bill further clarifies that minors seeking substance abuse treatment must have parental consent for the disclosure of their records and revises the requirements for voluntary admission to substance abuse services, ensuring that a minor's consent is treated equally to that of an adult. It also defines "biofeedback device" and stipulates that results from such devices must be shared with parents as confidential medical records. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance parental involvement in healthcare decisions affecting their children while establishing clear guidelines for when parental rights may be limited. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 173 Filed: 381.0051, 384.30, 394.459, 394.495, 397.501, 397.601, 1001.42