Florida legislators advance bill requiring parental consent for minors seeking STI treatment, mental health services, and substance abuse help, raising concerns about teen access to critical healthcare.
At a Glance
- Florida Senate Bill 1288 would require parental consent for minors to receive treatment for sexually transmitted infections and mental health services
- If passed, Florida would become the first state to deny minors the right to consent to STI services
- Bill includes provisions for parental notification and opt-out options for mental health screenings in K-12 settings
- Supporters argue parents are best positioned to guide their children’s healthcare decisions
- Critics warn the legislation could prevent vulnerable teens from seeking necessary medical care
Proposed Legislation Prioritizes Parental Rights
Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation that would significantly expand parental authority over minors’ healthcare decisions. Senate Bill 1288, which has cleared all committee stops and is ready for a Senate floor vote, requires parental consent before minors can receive treatment for sexually transmitted infections, mental health challenges, or substance abuse issues. The bill also mandates parental consent for the use of biofeedback devices on minors and requires that results be shared with parents as confidential medical records.
Florida lawmakers have been advancing bills to require parental consent for STI treatment, psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment, and school surveys. https://t.co/ez7pz9NTNi
— reason (@reason) April 23, 2025
Under current Florida law, minors can independently seek treatment for certain conditions without parental involvement. The proposed legislation would eliminate these provisions, making parents the primary decision-makers for nearly all healthcare services provided to their children. Healthcare providers who violate these parental consent requirements could face fines and disciplinary actions from their licensing boards, according to the bill’s provisions.
Expanded Parental Control in Education
The bill extends beyond healthcare settings into schools. An amendment adopted during committee hearings requires parental notification and opt-out opportunities for well-being or mental health screening questionnaires administered to K-12 students. The House version would allow parents to opt children out of health screenings and any survey that might reveal personal beliefs or family dynamics. These provisions align with Florida’s recent legislative trend of increasing parental authority over educational content.
“There are a number of systems that intersect with our children and divide the parent-child relationship. The parent is the best one suited to direct that treatment and care. For example, if a child has syphilis, and needs the treatment for that is penicillin, a shot of penicillin, if that child is allergic and does not know that they are allergic, then they can have an anaphylactic response to that treatment.”, stated Sen. Erin Grall.
Bill sponsor Senator Erin Grall has emphasized that parents have fundamental rights to guide their children’s upbringing and healthcare decisions. She has criticized existing systems that bypass parental involvement in children’s education and health discussions. The legislation also includes provisions requiring written parental consent before creating, storing, or sharing a child’s blood or DNA records, with exceptions for court orders or emergency situations.
First State to Require Parental Consent for STI Treatment
If passed, Florida would become the first state in the nation to require parental consent before minors can receive treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Currently, all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow minors to consent to STI services without parental involvement, recognizing that such requirements could deter young people from seeking timely medical care. The bill would represent a significant shift in how minor healthcare autonomy is approached.
“Equality Florida opposes SB 1288. We deeply value parental rights; there are many parents who are phenomenal advocates for their children. But we know that’s not always the case. Even in some supportive households, there are vulnerable young people who cannot or simply do not feel comfortable talking to their parents about issues like STIs or severe mental health struggles.”, said John Harris Mauer.
The legislation has faced substantial opposition from civil rights groups. Equality Florida and the American Civil Liberties Union have expressed concerns that requiring parental consent could endanger vulnerable children who lack supportive home environments. Critics argue that some teens may avoid seeking treatment altogether rather than discussing sensitive health issues with their parents, potentially leading to untreated infections and deteriorating mental health conditions.
Debate Centers on Balancing Parental Rights and Youth Healthcare Access
Supporters of the bill, including parents’ rights advocates, contend that family involvement in healthcare generally promotes better outcomes. Pam Westling, who testified in support of the bill, argued that parents should be involved in all healthcare decisions affecting their children. Proponents suggest that the legislation strengthens family bonds and ensures parents can provide critical medical history information that minors might not know, such as medication allergies.
Senator Lori Berman has emerged as a strong opponent of the bill, highlighting the risks to minors who cannot discuss certain health issues with their parents. The debate reflects broader national tensions between expanding parental rights and maintaining healthcare access for vulnerable youth. As the legislation moves toward a full Senate vote, Florida continues to be at the forefront of redefining the boundaries between parental authority and minor autonomy in healthcare decisions.
