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Minor Consent
As a Alabama pediatrician, when may I treat a minor without parental consent?
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Consent for medical treatment or surgery is required except in emergency situations. Consent can be provided orally or in writing. Parents or legal guardians are authorized by law to consent on behalf of minors. Parental consent is not required for medical treatment is the delay in obtaining consent would increase the risk to the minor’s life, health, or mental health. Ala. Code § 22-8-3.
In limited situation a minor can consent to medical treatment without parental consent. A minor can consent to medical treatment if he or she is 14 years of age or older, has graduated from high school, has been married , or is pregnant with child. Ala. Code §22-8-4. Any minor that has been married or divorced may consent to medical treatment for himself or his child. Ala. Code § 22-8-5. A minor 12 years or older may consent to medical treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Ala. Code § 22-11A-19. Any minor can give consent for diagnosis or treatment of venereal disease, pregnancy, drug dependency, alcohol toxicity, or any reportable disease. Ala. Code § 22-8-6.
No consent is required for medical or mental health treatment from a person physically unable to or mentally unable to consent to such treatment. Ala. Code § 22-8-1.
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