This bill amends existing Oklahoma statutes regarding parental rights and the medical treatment of minors. It clarifies that parents have the right to make health care decisions for their minor children, with specific exceptions outlined in the law. The bill removes certain prohibitions on parental notice regarding medical records and updates statutory language to be gender-neutral. It also emphasizes that while parents have inalienable rights, these do not extend to actions that would end a child's life or involve unlawful conduct.
Additionally, the bill allows minors in specific situations—such as being married, emancipated, or victims of sexual assault—to consent to their own medical treatment without parental notification. It establishes that health professionals must inform parents or guardians of treatment in emergency situations but are not required to do so in other cases. The bill also includes provisions to protect minors' medical records from being disclosed to parents or guardians under certain circumstances, such as suspected abuse or neglect. The effective date for this legislation is set for November 1, 2026.