Act 147 determines who can provide consent for voluntary mental health treatment of minors, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Act 147 also determines who can consent to the release of a minor’s medical and mental health records.
Do both parents need to consent for therapy in Pennsylvania?
Generally, Pennsylvania law requires the consent of a parent or guardian for the medical treatment of anyone younger than 18 years of age (a “minor”).
What age can a child make medical decisions in PA?
–Any minor who is eighteen years of age or older, or has graduated from high school, or has married, or has been pregnant, may give effective consent to medical, dental and health services for himself or herself, and the consent of no other person shall be necessary.
What is the age of consent for treatment in PA?
(1) Any minor who is fourteen years of age or older may consent on his or her own behalf to outpatient mental health examination and treatment, and the minor’s parent or legal guardian’s consent shall not be necessary.
Do both parents have to consent to child therapy?
In an intact family, the general rule is that either parent may consent to the child’s treatment. Typically a therapist or counselor may want to get the consent of the other parent, or may want to inform the other parent of the treatment, but at other times, such action may not be possible or warranted.
Can a minor refuse mental health treatment?
Generally, a Minor is capable of independently consenting to or refusing their medical treatment when they achieve a sufficient level of understanding and intelligence to enable them to understand fully what is proposed. This means that there is no set age at which a child or young person is capable of giving consent.
Can I take my child to counseling without permission from other parent in Pennsylvania?
Act 147 of 2004 amended that law to include specific language about mental health treatment. A minor is 14 or older may consent to treatment on his or her own without the consent of either parent required. If a minor is under 14, the consent of the parents is required.
Can I take my child to counseling without permission from other parent in PA?
When separated or divorced, the state of Pennsylvania requires consent of both parents (or guardians) for children under the age of 14 to participate in psychotherapy, unless there is a legal document giving one caregiver sole custody of the child.
When can a child consent to medical treatment?
Minors aged 14 and above may have the capacity to consent to medical treatment depending on their level of their level of maturity; their understanding of the proposed treatment and its consequences; and the severity of treatment .
Can a 20 year old date a 17 year old in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, it is illegal for an adult (someone 18 or older) to have sex with a minor (someone younger than 16), even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.
