Tennessee public health clinics will no longer offer youth access to health care — including birth control, sexually transmitted infection treatment and pregnancy tests — without parental consent, to follow the Department of Health’s explanation of the new parental rights law that came into effect on July 1.
The Family Rights and Responsibilities Act received little public attention when it made its way through the legislature earlier this year while other controversial measures emerged.
As implemented by the federal health department, the law significantly changes the way public health doctors and nurses interact with adolescent patients seeking preventive care at their health clinics – often the only option available for youth who need these services in rural Tennessee counties.
Before the law went into effect, young people aged 14 and above could get contraceptives, HIV and pregnancy tests and many types of health care from public clinics themselves. Then, they must bring a parent or allow staff to obtain verbal consent over the phone.
The new law, initiated by a law firm that advocates for conservative Christian causes, bars Tennessee teenagers from getting health care — including counseling and birth control instructions — without a parent present or parental consent.
Public health care providers who violate the law will have their licenses revoked, suspended or not renewed — and could be sued by parents if they don’t share «health-related» information. , the child’s feelings or mind.»
Rep. Jeremy Faison, a Cosby Republican who sponsored the bill, said: «We live in a time where there are those who want to decide what is in the best interest of my children outside of my job. »
«If someone in Tennessee who is licensed, certified by the state, decides to turn his back on the parents and encourage the child in a way that is different from what the parent is allowing this is an opportunity for the parent to press on.» and he said this is not right and needs to be looked at and they are given steps to take public action.
Sen. Ferrell Haile, a Gallatin Republican who sponsored the measure, noted that it was brought to him by the Alliance Defense Fund, a law firm that advocates for conservative Christian causes, among them the federal parental rights bill. which reflects the new Tennessee law.
The law also requires all health care providers to obtain parental consent before providing counseling or psychological services. It is still unclear how the government intends to apply this legal provision to the mental health professional group.
The Tennessee Department of Health did not respond to voicemail and email inquiries left as of Friday about the policy change regarding children. The department directly oversees clinics in 89 rural counties, while the state’s major cities run their own public health systems.
Officials at health department-run clinics in Robertson, Cheatham, Wilson and Rutherford Counties confirmed to Lookout that they implemented a new parental consent policy effective July 1, turning away teenage patients who arrived without one. parent and not willing to help them. phone to give verbal consent.
«If they’re under 18 they have to get parental consent,» said Amber Bailey, a registered nurse at a Maury County community clinic.
The Metro Nashville Department of Public Health, one of the city’s six public health centers, has also changed its policy for new patients.
«All patients under the age of 18 will be asked for a signed or verbal consent form by a parent or legal guardian before receiving all health department services,» the Nashville department posted on its website.
Urban health clinics in Memphis, Knox, Shelby, Madison and Sullivan counties did not respond to messages left Tuesday regarding their interpretation of the new state law.
The law provides exceptions to the requirement that a parent or guardian must give consent for an adolescent patient to be seen by public health workers if other laws, case law or court orders conflict. It is not clear whether the Department of Health officials have come to the conclusion that these previous rules, which are still in effect, no longer apply to new patients.
One existing law in Tennessee allows health care providers to treat children for sexually transmitted diseases without parental consent. One allows for prenatal and postnatal care without parental consent for minor children of pregnant women over the age of 14. And the third law, in fact, from 1971, allows doctors to prescribe contraceptives to minors without parental consent.
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