Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill seeking to provide parents with greater transparency about their children’s medical treatments passed the Senate Education Committee and is scheduled to be heard in the House Health Subcommittee next week.
During Wednesday’s meeting of the Senate Education Committee, bill sponsor Sen. Mark Pody explained an amendment to SB0259 which rewrites it from the original iteration. According to Sen. Pody, the bill would now reiterate that all provisions in current Tennessee law giving parents the right to access healthcare records of their child would remain unchanged.
It would instead clarify that any minors who may be attending an institution of higher education can be treated for minor injuries like cuts, scrapes, and burns without parental consent. This will align the code with other provisions which already allows local education agencies to treat these minor injuries without direct parental consent.
The only exceptions where parents could not access medical records would be in cases where a treating professional is required to report abuse of the unemancipated minor, and the treating professional believes that access to the medical records is reasonably likely to endanger the life or physical safety of the minor.
Upon receiving a unanimous 9-0 vote, the SB0259 will now advance to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, though a calendar date is yet to be set.
The House companion of the bill, HB0853, is set to be heard in the House Health Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 11, and does not show any amendments like that of the Senate as of this writing.
To contact members of the committee with thoughts on the legislation, use the information below:
House Health Subcommittee– HB0853 to be heard on March 11
HB0853 Expands parental rights in child’s healthcare.
Rep.brock.martin@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov; rep.timothy.hill@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov; rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov; rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.bryan.terry@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov
Senate Health and Welfare Committee – SB0259 hearing date to be determined
SB0259 Expands parental rights in child’s healthcare.
Sen.rusty.crowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bobby.harshbarger@capitol.tn.gov; sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov; sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
