Access to health care: Louisiana minor consent statutes

The Louisiana minor's consent statutes enable minors to consent for medical treatment, emergency treatment, treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases, and treatment of substance abuse. The legislative intent for permitting minors to consent to treatment without the express consent of a parent or guardian was to provide minors access to high-quality health care services in order to encourage the betterment of the health and welfare of the citizens of our state. A minor cannot consent for an abortion or sterilization. The statutes do not allow a minor to refuse treatment consented to by his parent or guardian. However, needed medical treatment can be provided to a consenting minor over the objections of a parent or guardian. Where a minor can consent, confidentiality from parent's or guardian's knowledge is permitted but not assured; confidentiality is granted at the discretion of the physician or medical staff.