§ 20-16-508 - Treatment of minors. - Arkansas Statutes

20-16-508. Treatment of minors.

(a) (1) When a minor who believes himself or herself to have a sexually transmitted disease consents to the provision of medical care or surgical care or services by a hospital or public clinic or consents to the performance of medical care or surgical care or services by a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in this state, the consent:

(A) Is valid and binding as if the minor had achieved his or her majority; and

(B) Is not subject to a later disaffirmance by reason of his or her minority.

(2) The consent of a spouse, parent, guardian, or any other person standing in a fiduciary capacity to the minor shall not be necessary in order to authorize hospital care or services or medical or surgical care or services to be provided to the minor by a physician licensed to practice medicine.

(b) Upon the advice and direction of a treating physician or in the case of a medical staff any one (1) of them, a physician or member of a medical staff may inform the spouse, parent, or guardian of any minor as to the treatment given or needed but shall not be obligated to do so. The information may be given to or withheld from the spouse, parent, or guardian without the consent and over the express objection of the minor.