SB 704

This bill allows a minor who is an unaccompanied youth to consent to, contract

for, and receive medical, dental, or behavioral health examinations, care, or

treatment without a parent's or guardian's permission, authority, or consent under

certain circumstances. The bill defines “unaccompanied youth” as the term is

defined under federal law, which is a homeless youth not in the physical custody of

a parent or guardian.

Under the bill, in order to consent to health care, such a minor must be at least

14 years of age and must not be under the supervision of a county department of

human services or social services, a licensed child welfare agency, the Department

of Children and Families, or the Department of Corrections. Also under the bill, one

of the following must confirm in writing that the minor is an unaccompanied youth:

a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youths designated under

federal law, a school social worker or counselor, an employee who conducts intake at

a shelter facility or transitional living program where the minor has been admitted

as an unaccompanied youth under current law, or the director, or his or her designee,

of a governmental or nonprofit entity that receives public or private funding to

provide services to individuals who are homeless or to unaccompanied youth.

Under the bill, a professional who provides medical, dental, or behavioral

health examinations, care, or treatment to a minor based on the minor's consent

given in conformity with the bill may not be held liable in a civil or criminal action

for providing those services without having obtained permission from the minor's

parent or guardian.