An Act To Define the Age of Consent for Alcohol or Drug Treatment and Mental Health Services

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1502,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. C, §8 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:

§ 1502. Consent

In addition to the ability to consent to treatment for health services as provided in sections 1823 and 1908 and Title 32, sections 2595, 3292, 3817, 6221 and 7004, a minor who is 14 years of age or older may consent to treatment for abuse of alcohol or drugs or for emotional or psychological problems and does not need the consent of a parent or guardian for such treatment. If the parent or guardian consents to such treatment of a minor 14 years of age or older, the minor may not abrogate that consent. If a minor 14 years of age or older consents to such treatment, a parent or guardian may not abrogate that consent.

summary

Current law provides that a minor under 18 years of age may consent to treatment for abuse of alcohol or drugs or for emotional or psychological problems. This bill provides that a minor who is 14 years of age or older may consent to treatment for abuse of alcohol or drugs or for emotional or psychological problems and does not need the consent of a parent or guardian for such treatment. It also provides that if the parent or guardian consents to such treatment of a minor 14 years of age or older, the minor may not abrogate that consent and that if a minor 14 years of age or older consents to such treatment, a parent or guardian may not abrogate that consent.