Idaho Bills

Adds to existing law to provide for parental rights in medical decision-making.

The Parents' Rights in Medical Decision-making Act ensures that children, who often lack maturity and make choices without considering either 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 adequate medical attention. The rights secured by this Act flow out of the rights recognized by the Idaho Parental Rights Act, Idaho Code Ann. §§ 32-1010 through -1014, which are "rooted in the due process of law guaranteed pursuant to Section 13, Article I, of the constitution of the state of Idaho." This Act clarifies that consent for the furnishing of health care services to any person who is an unemancipated minor must be given or refused by the parent of such person. The Act further declares that a parent has a right to access health information relating to the parent's minor child. Finally, the Act is intended to supersede any current provisions of Idaho law that may otherwise conflict with the Act.