MRS Title 22, Chapter 260. CONSENT OF MINORS FOR HEALTH SERVICES
Chapter 260. CONSENT OF MINORS FOR HEALTH SERVICES
PL 1999, c. 10, §1 (NEW).
§1503. Authority
A minor may give consent to all medical, mental, dental and other health counseling and services
if the minor: [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. C, §8 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
1. Living separately; independent of parental support. Is living separately from parents or a
legal guardian and is independent of parental support. A minor may prove that the minor meets the
requirements of this subsection with documentation including, but not limited to:
A. A written statement affirming that the minor is living separately from parents or a legal guardian
and is independent of parental support signed by:
(1) A director or designee of a governmental or nonprofit agency that receives public or private
funding to provide services to homeless persons;
(2) A local education agency liaison for homeless children and youth designated pursuant to
42 United States Code, Section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) or a school social worker or counselor; or
(3) An attorney representing the minor in any legal matter; [PL 2019, c. 206, §1 (NEW).]
B. A copy of a protection from abuse complaint or a temporary order or final order of protection
against the minor's parent or legal guardian; or [PL 2019, c. 206, §1 (NEW).]
C. Proof of filing a petition for emancipation pursuant to Title 15, section 3506‑A; [PL 2019, c.
206, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2019, c. 206, §1 (RPR).]
2. Married. Is or was legally married;
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. C, §8 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
3. Armed Forces. Is or was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; or
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. C, §8 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
4. Emancipated. Has been emancipated by the court pursuant to Title 15, section 3506‑A.
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. C, §8 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
A health care practitioner who obtains documentation that meets the requirements of this section
prior to providing medical, mental, dental or other health counseling or services to a minor pursuant to
this section is immune from any civil or criminal liability based on the health care practitioner's
determination to provide services, except that a health care practitioner may be held liable for the health
care practitioner's gross negligence or willful or wanton acts or omissions. [PL 2019, c. 206, §2
(NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1995, c. 694, §C8 (NEW). PL 1995, c. 694, §E2 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 206, §§1, 2 (AMD).
§1503-A. Authority for consent by a surrogate
1. Consent by a surrogate; notice of need for health care. A surrogate may give consent for
health care for a minor except that a surrogate may not withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment
or deny surgery, procedures or other interventions that are life-saving and medically necessary. The
existence of a surrogate does not affect the ability of a minor to give consent as otherwise provided by
law. Before the surrogate may give consent, the surrogate must make a reasonable good faith attempt
to inform the minor's parents or legal guardian of the minor's need for health care and the parents' right
to make those decisions. If parental notification is not required by other provisions of law, the surrogate
is not required to inform or attempt to inform the minor's parents or legal guardian.
[PL 2015, c. 444, §2 (NEW).]