TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A bill that aims to expand parental rights over minors’ healthcare, including stricter consent requirements for surveys and medical procedures, passed a Florida House committee Monday.
What it does: HB 1505 expands parental rights in Florida by requiring parental consent for surveys and questionnaires administered to minors, removing existing exceptions that allowed minors to access certain healthcare services without parental consent, and requiring parental consent for the use of biofeedback devices on minors.
- The bill eliminates exceptions allowing minors to obtain healthcare services without parental consent, including family planning, abortion-related care, STD treatment, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment.
- It requires written parental consent for all medical procedures on minors, except in emergencies or when authorized by a court.
Survey and questionnaire consent: Under the bill, parents gain the right to review and consent to any survey or questionnaire given to their child.
- Parents must approve the sharing of survey responses, with clear notice of recipients and the purpose under the bill.
Biofeedback device regulations: The bill classifies biofeedback device use as a healthcare service requiring parental consent.
- The bill mandates that all biofeedback results be shared with parents and treated as confidential medical records.
The sponsors: Reps. Rachel Saunders Plakon and Kim Kendall are carrying the House bill. An identical bill, SB 1288, is being carried by Sen. Erin Grall in the Senate.
What they’re saying: Equality Florida dubbed the bill as “the birth control ban for minors.” The bill does not ban birth control for minors, it requires minors get parental consent to receive birth control.
During debate, Rep. Robin Bartleman pointed to Florida’s Parental Bill of Rights, that was passed in 2021, arguing that HB 1505 would get rid of “carve outs” in the law, such as treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and emergency medical treatment for children.
- “You have no rulemaking authority for the Department of Health to address any of these provisions, and this bill will undermine the safety of children,” Bartleman said. “It was well thought out, and you’re taking away all of these exceptions that were put here because we want to protect all children.”
In closing, Plakon responded to Bartleman’s comments, saying some of her points “do not apply” to the bill because, she said under the bill, children will still be able to have emergency treatment, will be able to have treatment with a court order, and will also have substitute consent.
- “The overwhelming majority of parents want to do the right thing for their children,” Plakon said. “We believe the passing of HB 1505 is a restoration of parental rights with healthcare and will foster better communication between parents and their children. With its passing, the best person to ensure the health and safety of their children will have the ability to do so.”
- “We also believe this bill addresses cases of abuse and neglect and victims of crimes by their parents,” Plakon said. “However, you have our commitment that we’re going to continue to work on this language, and the clarifications that we mentioned.”
Next steps: The bill passed favorably 19-7 and has two committee stops left. The Senate bill has two more committee stops.
