This bill amends current New Jersey law to lower the age at which minors can consent to behavioral health care treatment from 16 years to 14 years. Under the revised law, minors aged 14 and older who believe they need temporary outpatient treatment for mental illness or emotional disorders can provide valid consent for such services without requiring approval from a parent or guardian. The treatment must be supervised by a licensed health care professional and is limited to outpatient services, excluding medication administration. The bill emphasizes the confidentiality of the treatment, ensuring that neither the minor nor the health care provider is obligated to report the treatment when it is voluntarily consented to.

The motivation behind this legislative change is to address the rising rates of suicide among adolescents in New Jersey, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill aims to facilitate access to mental health services for younger individuals, recognizing that many states have already enacted similar laws allowing minors to consent to behavioral health treatment. By lowering the consent age, the sponsors hope to provide timely support to teens in need and ultimately reduce the incidence of suicide in this vulnerable population.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9:17A-4