Bill Summary:

• AN ACT Relating to greater consistency in the provision of health care services for minors under the age of 17; amending RCW 70.24.110, 71.34.500, 71.34.510, 71.34.520, and 71.34.530; adding a new section to chapter 9.02 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 26.28 RCW.

What the Bill says:

• A minor under the age of 17 may not provide informed consent for a health care procedure unless statutorily authorized to do so under this code. The legislature hereby declares the principle of implied emancipation, also known as the mature minor rule, as articulated in Smith v. Seibly, 72 Wn.2d (1967), to be abolished to the extent it conflicts with this section.
• (1) A parent or legal guardian of a minor under the age of 17 may not be held financially responsible for services related to an abortion received by the minor if the parent or legal guardian did not consent to such services; and (2) The state may not expend any funds to permit a minor under the age of 17 to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy without the consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian, unless, as HB 1176 determined by the reasonable, good faith clinical judgment of the patient’s primary care physician, the life of the minor is in imminent danger because of a serious physical disorder, illness, or injury if the termination of the pregnancy is not performed.

Our Summary Opinion:

• This bill restores parental rights but more importantly it protects our children from making serious mistakes with regards to healthcare decisions which might impact them permanently by simply raising the age of consent from 14 to 17 years old.