House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
Amends GS 90-21.1 to allow a physician assistant and nurse practitioner (in addition to the already allowed physician) to render treatment to a minor without getting consent from a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis in the specified circumstances. Amends those circumstances by making conforming changes and by adding when the physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner has a reasonable belief the treatment is for a condition, disease, or injury triggering an obligation to report under the specified laws. Makes additional conforming changes.
Amends the definition of treatment under GS 90-21.2 to also include the specified procedures or treatment ordered by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner (in addition to the already listed physician). Makes conforming changes.
Further amends GS 90-21.4, concerning responsibility, liability, and immunity, to also make it appliable to physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
Further amends GS 90-21.5 to also allow a minor to give consent to a physician assistant or nurse practitioner (in addition to the already allowed physician) for services for the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy. Adds that a minor age 16 or older may give effective consent to a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner for the diagnosis and treatment of venereal diseases and other diseases reportable under GS 130A-135 if the disease can be treated with a prescription with a duration of 10 days or less.
Removes proposed new GS 90-21.5A (limited exception for examination without parental consent in cases of suspected abuse or neglect).
Amends proposed new GS 90-21.5B, concerning a parent’s access to minors’ medical records, to also extend the provisions to a minor’s legal guardian. Provides that patents and legal guardians do not have the right to access and review a minor’s medical records if the records are of a health care described in GS 90-21.1(5) (for a condition, disease, or injury triggering an obligation to report) or GS 90-21.5(a) (diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy) (was, described in now deleted GS 90-21.5A). Adds that medical records include any documentation of treatment regardless of medium, whether paper, electronic, or database storage.

Statutes affected:
Filed: 90-21.4, 90-21.5
Edition 1: 90-21.4, 90-21.5