A recently passed Idaho Senate bill restricts students’ access to medical services at school — unless they have parental consent.
Senate Bill 1329, also known as the Parental Rights in Medical Decision-Making Act, which went into effect on July 1 and was reviewed by PEOPLE, states that “an individual may not provide health care services or request that health care services be provided to a minor child without the prior consent of the parents of the minor child.”
These new protections apply to minor injuries that are not life-threatening, including those that would only require the use of a simple Band-Aid or over-the-counter headache medication.
The statement on the purpose of the proposed law further clarifies that its adoption “ensures that children, who often lack maturity and make decisions without considering the immediate or long-term consequences, are protected by the informed decision-making of their parents, who possess the most knowledge and are in the best position to ensure that their children receive appropriate medical care.”
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“This law only reaffirms the fundamental rights of parents to access health information and make decisions about their children’s health care,” it added.
The main text of the Parental Rights in Medical Decision-Making Act further defines the new restrictions as affecting a school nurse’s decision to perform “diagnosis, screening, examination, prevention, treatment, cure, care or relief of any physical or mental health condition, disease, injury, deficiency or illness” to the student without prior parental approval.
In compliance with the law, the Boise school district reportedly shared a message with parents regarding the new policy, writing, “While the Boise School District is not generally a health care provider and does not diagnose medical conditions, we do provide services that are covered by the new law,” according to NBC News.
The statement reportedly doubled down by noting again that “the new law now requires parental consent before non-life-threatening medical services,” according to local outlet KTVB7.
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PEOPLE reached out to the Idaho School Boards Association and the Boise School District for further comment on the decision, but they did not immediately respond.
According to KTVB7, local districts are respecting the new bill, but stress that there are certain exceptions. The Boise School District shared in a statement to KTVB7 that it is instructing staff: “If a child requires non-life threatening medical care or mental health treatment and no parent is available to provide immediate consent, please use your best judgment and provide need.”
Another school district in Idaho, West Ada, told the publication, “West Ada has used the same consent to treat protocol for more than 15 years. While we maintain our established practice, we are now operating with an increased level of awareness in light of recent legislation.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education