House Bill No. 400 amends existing Louisiana law regarding minors' consent for medical procedures and treatments. The bill mandates that informed consent from a parent, tutor, or legal guardian is required for all medical and mental health services provided to minors until they reach the age of eighteen. It also establishes specific exceptions to this requirement, including cases where the minor is seeking an abortion, is a member of the armed forces, is an emancipated minor, or is an unemancipated minor who is pregnant and consenting to medical care related to the pregnancy. Additionally, the bill allows for implied consent in emergency situations and grants parents or guardians access to their minor child's medical records.

The bill repeals several provisions that previously allowed minors to consent to their own medical treatment for drug abuse, blood donation, and preventive counseling without parental consent. It also removes the requirement for parental consent for certain medical services, which was previously in place. Furthermore, the bill protects hospitals and healthcare providers from civil or criminal liability when acting under the authority of a parent or guardian's consent, except in cases of negligence. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen parental involvement in minors' healthcare decisions while outlining specific exceptions and protections.

Statutes affected:
HB400 Original: