A new law raising the age of medical consent in Alabama has become effective, as of Oct. 1. The new law raises the age at which minors can consent to medical, dental and mental health services from 14 to 16, aligning Alabama’s medical age of consent with neighboring states.
The law includes several exceptions, allowing minors under 16 to consent to services related to sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse or in medical emergencies. Additionally, minors who are pregnant, legally emancipated or living independently may retain the ability to make their own medical decisions.
The law also prohibits healthcare providers and governmental entities from denying parents access to a minor child’s health information, except when a court order prohibits access or if the parent is under investigation for a crime against the child. It emphasizes the fundamental right of parents to make decisions concerning their child’s healthcare…