This bill mandates that parents must be notified before their unemancipated minor undergoes any medical or surgical procedure or treatment. However, there are exceptions to this requirement: if a parent provides a notarized statement indicating that they have already received notice, or if the attending physician certifies that the procedure is necessary due to a medical emergency, notification is not required. Additionally, minors have the option to petition a judge for a waiver of parental notification under certain circumstances.

The bill also amends existing law regarding the waiver process for parental notification. It specifies that a minor may seek a waiver by stating their pregnancy status and allows the minor to represent themselves in court, with the option for the court to appoint a guardian ad litem. The judge can authorize a waiver if they find that the minor is mature enough to make their own medical decisions, if there is evidence of abuse by a parent or guardian, or if notifying the parent is not in the minor's best interests. The bill ensures that proceedings are confidential and provides for an expedited appeal process for minors whose waiver requests are denied.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9:17A-1.7