Below are state statutes relating to minor consent for this state; however, there may be additional statutes NVIC is unaware of, and readers may need to do additional research and/or obtain additional legal advice. NVIC doesn't provide legal advice and provides the below for informational purposes only. NVIC provides additional resource information in our FAQ on Vaccination in School-Based Health Clinics, should readers have concerns about the vaccination of their child without parental knowledge or consent this school setting.
743.064 Emergency medical care or treatment to minors without parental consent.
(1) The absence of parental consent notwithstanding, a physician licensed under chapter 458 or an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 459 may render emergency medical care or treatment to any minor who has been injured in an accident or who is suffering from an acute illness, disease, or condition if, within a reasonable degree of medical certainty, delay in initiation or provision of emergency medical care or treatment would endanger the health or physical well-being of the minor, and provided such emergency medical care or treatment is administered in a hospital licensed by the state under chapter 395 or in a college health service. Emergency medical care or treatment may also be rendered in the prehospital setting by paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other emergency medical services personnel, provided such care is rendered consistent with the provisions of chapter 401. These persons shall follow the general guidelines and notification provisions of this section.
(2) This section shall apply only when parental consent cannot be immediately obtained for one of the following reasons:
(a) The minor’s condition has rendered him or her unable to reveal the identity of his or her parents, guardian, or legal custodian, and such information is unknown to any person who accompanied the minor to the hospital.
(b) The parents, guardian, or legal custodian cannot be immediately located by telephone at their place of residence or business.
(3) Notification shall be accomplished as soon as possible after the emergency medical care or treatment is administered. The hospital records shall reflect the reason such consent was not initially obtained and shall contain a statement by the attending physician that immediate emergency medical care or treatment was necessary for the patient’s health or physical well-being. The hospital records shall be open for inspection by the person legally responsible for the minor.
(4) No person as delineated in subsection (1), hospital, or college health service shall incur civil liability by reason of having rendered emergency medical care or treatment pursuant to this section, provided such treatment or care was rendered in accordance with acceptable standards of medical practice.
743.0645 Other persons who may consent to medical care or treatment of a minor.
There shall be maintained in the treatment provider’s records of the minor documentation that a reasonable attempt was made to contact the person who has the power to consent.
743.015 Disabilities of nonage; removal.
(1) A circuit court has jurisdiction to remove the disabilities of nonage of a minor age 16 or older residing in this state upon a petition filed by the minor’s natural or legal guardian or, if there is none, by a guardian ad litem.
(2) The petition shall contain the following information:
(a) The name, address, residence, and date of birth of the minor.
(b) The name, address, and current location of each of the minor’s parents, if known.
(c) The name, date of birth, custody, and location of any children born to the minor.
(d) A statement of the minor’s character, habits, education, income, and mental capacity for business, and an explanation of how the needs of the minor with respect to food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other necessities will be met.
(e) Whether the minor is a party to or the subject of a pending judicial proceeding in this state or any other jurisdiction, or the subject of a judicial order of any description issued in connection with such pending judicial proceeding.
(f) A statement of the reason why the court should remove the disabilities of nonage.
(3) If the petition is filed by the natural or legal guardian, the court must appoint an attorney ad litem for the minor child, and the minor child shall be brought before the court to determine if the interest of the minor will be fully protected by the removal of disabilities of nonage. The attorney ad litem shall represent the child in all related proceedings.
(4) If the petition is filed by the guardian ad litem or next friend, service of process must be perfected on the natural parents.
(5) If both parents are not jointly petitioning the court for the removal of the disabilities of nonage of the minor, service of process must be made upon the nonpetitioning parent. Constructive service of process may be used, provided the petitioning parent makes an actual, diligent search to discover the location of, and provide notice to, the nonpetitioning parent.
(6) The court shall consider the petition and receive such evidence as it deems necessary to rule on the petition. If the court determines that removal of the disabilities of nonage is in the minor’s best interest, it shall enter an order to that effect. An order removing the disabilities of nonage shall have the effect of giving the minor the status of an adult for purposes of all criminal and civil laws of the state, and shall authorize the minor thereafter to exercise all of the rights and responsibilities of persons who are 18 years of age or older.
(7) The court shall consider the petition and, if satisfied that the removal of the disabilities is in the minor’s best interest, shall remove the disabilities of nonage; and shall authorize the minor to perform all acts that the minor could do if he or she were 18 years of age.
(8) The judgment shall be recorded in the county in which the minor resides, and a certified copy shall be received as evidence of the removal of disabilities of nonage for all matters in all courts.
