MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama lawmakers are considering a bill that would raise the age at which minors can independently consent to medical treatment from 14 to 18, a move that critics say could have serious consequences for vulnerable youth seeking care.
The legislation, introduced by Republican Sen. Larry Stutts, would require parental consent for most medical decisions involving minors under 18, with exceptions for emancipated minors and emergency situations. While the bill does not explicitly mention transgender healthcare, it comes amid a wave of legislation across the country targeting gender-affirming care for minors.
Alabama already enforces a law banning puberty blockers and hormone treatments for transgender individuals under 19. Critics argue that this new proposal is part of a broader effort to restrict access to care for transgender youth while also creating unintended barriers for other minors who may need to make independent medical decisions.
Advocates for youth healthcare warn that the bill could harm minors in situations where involving a parent is not safe or feasible. For example, teens experiencing abuse or neglect at home often rely on their ability to seek medical care without parental involvement. Pregnant minors, those seeking mental health treatment, or teens dealing with sensitive issues like sexually transmitted infections could face delays or denials of care under the proposed law.
Supporters of the bill say it strengthens parental rights in healthcare decisions, but opponents argue it fails to account for the complex realities many minors face. They say the legislation risks leaving some of Alabama’s most vulnerable young people without access to timely and necessary medical care.
The bill is currently awaiting consideration in committee. If passed, it would mark a significant change in how Alabama handles medical consent for minors and could further complicate an already contentious debate over healthcare access for youth in the state.