House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
Amends GS 90-21.1 to allow a physician assistant and nurse practitioner (in addition to the already allowed physician) to render treatment to a minor without getting consent from a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis in the specified circumstances. Amends those circumstances by making conforming changes and by adding when the physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner has a reasonable belief the treatment is for a condition, disease, or injury triggering an obligation to report under the specified laws. Makes additional conforming changes.
Amends the definition of treatment under GS 90-21.2 to also include the specified procedures or treatment ordered by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner (in addition to the already listed physician). Makes conforming changes.
Further amends GS 90-21.4, concerning responsibility, liability, and immunity, to also make it appliable to physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
Further amends GS 90-21.5 to also allow a minor to give consent to a physician assistant or nurse practitioner (in addition to the already allowed physician) for services for the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy. Adds that a minor age 16 or older may give effective consent to a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner for the diagnosis and treatment of venereal diseases and other diseases reportable under GS 130A-135 if the disease can be treated with a prescription with a duration of 10 days or less.
Removes proposed new GS 90-21.5A (limited exception for examination without parental consent in cases of suspected abuse or neglect).
Amends proposed new GS 90-21.5B, concerning a parent’s access to minors’ medical records, to also extend the provisions to a minor’s legal guardian. Provides that patents and legal guardians do not have the right to access and review a minor’s medical records if the records are of a health care described in GS 90-21.1(5) (for a condition, disease, or injury triggering an obligation to report) or GS 90-21.5(a) (diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy) (was, described in now deleted GS 90-21.5A). Adds that medical records include any documentation of treatment regardless of medium, whether paper, electronic, or database storage.
Bill Summaries: H519 (2025-2026 Session)
-
Bill H 519 (2025-2026)Summary date: Apr 29 2025 - View summary
-
Bill H 519 (2025-2026)Summary date: Mar 25 2025 - View 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.