§ 22-8-4 — Consent by Minors to Legally Authorized Medical, Dental, or Mental Health Services

Alabama § 22-8-4

• Jurisdiction: Alabama
• Title 22: Health, Mental Health, and Environmental Control
• Ch. 8: Consent for Health Services

Text

(a) Each of the following individuals may give effective consent to any legally authorized medical, dental, or mental health services for himself or herself, and the consent of no other individual shall be necessary:
(1) An individual who is 16 years of age or older.
(2) A minor who has graduated from high school.
(3) A minor who meets any of the criteria as set forth in Section 22-8-5.
(4) A minor who is pregnant.
(5) A minor who is emancipated.
(6) A minor who is: (i) not dependent on a parent or legal guardian for support; and (ii) living apart from his or her parents or other individual in loco parentis.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an individual who is 18 years of age or older may give effective consent to participate in any clinical trial, and the consent of no other individual shall be necessary.
(c) For the purposes of this section, a minor who is the parent of a child as provided in Section 22-8-5 or is pregnant may consent to any legally authorized medical, dental, or mental health services for his or her own child, and the consent of no other individual shall be necessary.

Legislative History

(Acts 1971, No. 2281, p. 3681, §1; Act 2025-455, §1.)