A recently passed Idaho Senate bill is limiting students’ access to in-school medical services — unless they have parental consent.
Senate Bill 1329, also known as The Parents’ Rights in Medical Decision-Making Act, which was put into effect on July 1 and reviewed by PEOPLE, states that “an individual shall not furnish a health care service or solicit to furnish a health care service to a minor child without obtaining the prior consent of the minor child’s parent.”
These new protections extend to minor, non-life-threatening injuries, including those that would only require the use of a simple Band-Aid or over-the-counter headache medication.
The bill’s Statement of Purpose further clarifies that its passing “ensures that children, who often lack maturity and make choices without considering either immediate or long-term consequences, are protected by the informed decision-making of their parents, who possess the most knowledge and are in the best position to ensure that their children receive adequate medical attention.”
A stock image of a Band-Aid being administered.
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“This legislation only reaffirms the fundamental rights of parents to access health care information and make their children’s health care decision,” it adds.
The Parents’ Rights in Medical Decision-Making Act’s main text further defines the new constraints as effecting a school nurse’s decision to administer “diagnosis, screening, examination, prevention, treatment, cure, care, or relief of any physical or mental health condition, illness, injury, defect or disease” to a student without a parent’s prior approval.
In accordance with that bill, Boise School District reportedly shared a message with parents regarding the new policy, writing, “While the Boise School District is not a health care provider in general, and does not diagnose medical conditions, we do provide services that are covered by the new law,” according to NBC News.
The statement reportedly doubled down by noting, again, that “The new law now requires parental consent before non-life threatening medical services,” per local outlet KTVB7.
According to KTVB7, local districts are honoring the new bill, but highlighting that there are certain exceptions. Boise School District shared in a statement with KTVB7 that they are instructing staff, “If a child requires non-life threatening medical care, or mental health treatment, and no parent is available to provide consent promptly, please use your best judgment and provide the care as needed.”
Another Idaho school district, West Ada, told the publication, “West Ada has been using the same consent to treat protocol for over 15 years. While we maintain our established practices, we are now operating with an increased level of awareness in light of recent legislation.”
