A law that is expected to advance will make it mandatory for minors to get not just written consent, but notarized consent for various health services. These health services include testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as mental health, substance abuse, birth control, and pregnancy services.
As of right now, every state in the US allows minors to at least get STD testing and treatment. North Carolina would be the first state to require this extreme level of consent.
When parental consent is involved, teen pregnancies tend to rise and testing tends to go down. Some teens may be in abusive situations where they simply cannot talk to their parents about these things, making it impossible to get the services they need.
Please tell North Carolina not to require parental consent! Teens should have power over their own bodies!
Dear North Carolina Government,
Please do not pass a measure that is expected to advance requiring teens to get parental consent for a variety of health services. The permission would have to be written and notarized, and would be mandatory for services related to birth control, STD testing/treatment, pregnancy, mental health, and substance abuse.
Every state in the US allows teens to at least get STD testing and treatment without consent. This would make North Carolina the strictest state in the nation for parental consent.
Teens that require consent often don't get tested and have higher rates of teen pregnancy. Plus, what about teens in abusive situations that really just can't talk to their parents? So many teens wouldn't be able to get the services they need.
Thank you for your time.
