Bill Summary for H 519 (2025-2026)

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Summary date: 

Mar 25 2025

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
House Bill 519 (Public) Filed Tuesday, March 25, 2025
AN ACT REVISING THE LAWS REGARDING WHEN MINORS CAN GIVE EFFECTIVE CONSENT TO MEDICAL TREATMENT ON THEIR OWN AUTHORITY AND WHEN PARENTS ARE ALLOWED ACCESS TO MINORS' MEDICAL RECORDS.
Intro. by Balkcom, Loftis, Biggs, Potts.

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Bill summary

Removes provisions allowing a physician to give information concerning the treatment or medical services being provided to the minor to a parent, legal guardian, person standing in loco parentis, or a legal custodian other than a parent granted specific authority in a custody order to consent to medical or psychiatric treatment under GS 90-21.4 (concerning responsibility, liability, and immunity of physicians).  

Limits the medical health services where a minor is allowed to give effective consent for diagnosis and treatment to pregnancy (currently health conditions also include venereal disease and other reportable diseases under GS 130A-135, abuse of controlled substances or alcohol, and emotional disturbance) under GS 90-21.5 (minor’s consent sufficient for certain medical health services). Makes technical changes.

Enacts GS 90-21.5A, concerning a limited exception for examination without parental consent in cases of suspected abuse or neglect, as follows. Authorizes a healthcare provider to conduct or continue an examination of a minor without first obtaining written or documented consent from a parent if the health care practitioner has a reasonable belief that the examination will reveal information triggering an obligation to report under GS 7B-301 (duty to report abuse, neglect, dependency, or death due to maltreatment) or GS 90-21.20(c1) (physician reporting requirements for certain wounds).

Enacts GS 90-21.5B (parental access to minors’ medical records), as follows. Grants parents rights to right to access and review all medical records of their minor child, including medical records of care for which the minor may give effective consent under GS 90-21.5(a). Creates the three following exceptions: (1) the medical records are of health care described in GS 90-21.5A; (2) the release of the medical records is prohibited by a valid court order; and (3) the parent is the subject of an investigation for a crime committed against the minor child and a law enforcement agency or official has requested that the medical records not be released.

Applies to acts occurring on or after October 1, 2025.