Adopted January 2011 – Revised February 2021 – Health & Community Concerns Commission
California State PTA believes that providing for the physical and mental well-being of the family unit is important to quality of life. California State PTA further believes that everyone is entitled to appropriate, confidential, and timely health care and has the right to make decisions regarding treatment based on medical advice and in accordance with personal beliefs.
According to California’s minor consent laws adolescents aged 12 and over are allowed to consent to certain services without parent or guardian involvement. These services include:
- Treatment or prevention of pregnancy, including family planning and contraception
- Abortion
- Treatment for drug and alcohol related problems
- HIV/AIDS testing and treatment
- Diagnosis or treatment of certain infectious, contagious, or communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases
- Mental health treatment and counseling
- Rape treatment
- Sexual assault treatment
The National Center for Youth Law’s Teen Health Rights Initiative was established to provide resources and information to health care providers about California laws pertaining to minor consent, confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and other adolescent health concerns.
California State PTA believes that it is usually in the best interest of children and their families for parents to be involved in the health care decisions of their adolescent children. California PTA also believes, however, that under certain circumstances, adolescents must be allowed to consent for their own health care in order to protect public health and/or the health and welfare of the minor. California State PTA supports exceptions provided by state statutes that allow minors to consent for their own care.
