Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill that seeks to provide parents with greater transparency regarding their children’s medical treatments passed in the Senate on Monday in a 24 to 7 vote mostly along party lines.
Two Senate Republicans, Speaker Randy McNally (R-Oakridge-District 5) and Page Walley (R-Savannah-District 26), voted with Democrats against parents having all the information they need to raise their children.
Sponsored by Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17), Senate Bill 0259 as amended ensures that a child’s parent or legal guardian can access their child’s health and treatment records, including records regarding mental health, medical treatments, rehabilitation, prescription records, or for treatments provided to the child without parental consent. The legislation also amends current law to allow minors attending an institution of higher education to be given basic first aid without parental consent.
While concerns were raised during discussion over whether emotionally abusive parents, or parents abusing their children in a way that did not physically harm or endanger their children’s lives, would be granted this level of access to records, Pody reiterated that Tennessee law mandates that abuse be reported and that those parents would not be granted access.
The companion House Bill (HB0853) sponsored by Representative Michele Reneau (R-Signal Mountain-District 27) is expected to be heard on the House floor for a full vote soon.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
