Minors Health Decision Making

This bill is about the ability of certain minors to agree to medical tests and treatments to avoid having a baby or after having a baby.

• Minor: anyone under 18 years of age

• If this bill passes, it will update the first part of the Texas Family Code, which is a set of laws in Texas that explains rules for families, like marriage, divorce, child custody, and adoption. 

• If these updates are put in place, a minor can give permission for medical, dental, psychological, and surgical care from a doctor or dentist with a license, if the minor:

  • Is actively working with the U.S. military.

  • Is either:

    • 16 years or older and living away from parents or caregivers, whether with or without their permission, no matter how long it’s been, or is:

    • Taking care of their own money, regardless of where the money comes from.

  • Agrees to be tested and treated for illness that can be spread or create infections.

  • Is not married while pregnant, or recently pregnant, and gives permission for hospital, medical, or surgical care for the pregnancy (except for abortion).

    • Abortion: A medical procedure that ends a pregnancy

  • Gives permission to get tested and to get care for addiction to or dependency on drugs.

    • Addiction: An illness where a person can’t stop using or doing something even if it hurts their health or life.

    • Dependency: When a person relies too much on something, like a drug, alcohol, or another person, and can't do well without it.

  • Is a parent who is not married, who is allowed by the law to take care of their child, and gives permission to get medical care.

  • Is in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility, unless care is not allowed by a specific part of the Occupations Code, which is a list of rules about jobs in Texas.

    • Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility: A place like a prison or jail where people who broke the law are kept as punishment in Texas.

  • Is a mother who is not married, and agrees to get testing or medical care to prevent having more babies (except for abortion).