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1 New Subdivision; Behavioral Health Services for Minors. Amend RSA 135-C by inserting after section 67 the following new subdivision:
Behavioral Health Services for Minors
135-C:68 Behavioral Health Services for Minors.
I. When a minor who is 12 years of age or older believes that he or she is in need of behavioral health care services for the treatment of mental illness or emotional disorders, the minor's consent to temporary outpatient treatment, excluding the use or administration of medication, under the supervision of a physician licensed to practice medicine, an APRN, or an individual licensed to provide professional counseling under RSA Title 30, including, but not limited to, a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, pastoral pyschotherapist, or clinical mental health counselor, or in an outpatient health care facility licensed under RSA 151, shall be valid and binding as if the minor had achieved the age of majority. Any such consent shall not be subject to later disaffirmance by reason of minority. Treatment for behavioral health care services for mental illness or emotional disorders that is consented to by a minor shall be considered confidential information between the physician, the individual licensed to provide professional counseling, the advanced practice registered nurse, or the health care facility, as appropriate, and the patient, and neither the minor nor the minor's physician, professional counselor, APRN, or outpatient health care facility, as appropriate, shall be required to report such treatment when it is the result of voluntary consent.
II. The consent of no other person or persons, including but not limited to, a spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian, shall be necessary in order to authorize a minor to receive such hospital services, facility, or clinical care or services, medical or surgical care or services, or counseling services from a physician licensed to practice medicine, an individual licensed or certified to provide treatment for alcoholism, an APRN, or an individual licensed to provide professional counseling under RSA Title 30, as appropriate, to such a minor, except that behavioral health care services for the treatment of mental illness or emotional disorders shall be limited to temporary outpatient services only.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Subdivision; Behavioral Health Services for Minors. Amend RSA 135-C by inserting after section 67 the following new subdivision:
Behavioral Health Services for Minors
135-C:68 Behavioral Health Services for Minors.
I. When a minor who is 12 years of age or older believes that he or she is in need of behavioral health care services for the treatment of mental illness or emotional disorders, the minor's consent to temporary outpatient treatment, excluding the use or administration of medication, under the supervision of a physician licensed to practice medicine, an APRN, or an individual licensed to provide professional counseling under RSA Title 30, including, but not limited to, a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, pastoral pyschotherapist, or clinical mental health counselor, or in an outpatient health care facility licensed under RSA 151, shall be valid and binding as if the minor had achieved the age of majority. Any such consent shall not be subject to later disaffirmance by reason of minority. Treatment for behavioral health care services for mental illness or emotional disorders that is consented to by a minor shall be considered confidential information between the physician, the individual licensed to provide professional counseling, the advanced practice registered nurse, or the health care facility, as appropriate, and the patient, and neither the minor nor the minor's physician, professional counselor, APRN, or outpatient health care facility, as appropriate, shall be required to report such treatment when it is the result of voluntary consent.
II. The consent of no other person or persons, including but not limited to, a spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian, shall be necessary in order to authorize a minor to receive such hospital services, facility, or clinical care or services, medical or surgical care or services, or counseling services from a physician licensed to practice medicine, an individual licensed or certified to provide treatment for alcoholism, an APRN, or an individual licensed to provide professional counseling under RSA Title 30, as appropriate, to such a minor, except that behavioral health care services for the treatment of mental illness or emotional disorders shall be limited to temporary outpatient services only.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.