Health Care Consent Amendment

Act (Parental Consultation),

1996

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under the Bill, health practitioners will be required to make reasonable efforts to consult with a parent before treating a child who has not reached sixteen years of age.

Bill 911996

An Act to provide for parental consultation

under the Health Care Consent Act, 1996

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. The Health Care Consent Act, 1996 is amended by adding the following section:

Parental consultation

10.1 (1) Despite any other provision of this Act, before providing treatment to a person who has not attained the age of sixteen years, a health practitioner shall make reasonable efforts to consult with at least one of the person's parents or with a person who acts in the role of the person's parent.

Custodial parent

(2) In the case of a child who is in the legal custody of only one of his or her parents, the health practitioner shall make reasonable efforts to consult with the custodial parent.

Exception

(3) This section does not apply to the treatment of a person who is married.

2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

3. The short title of this Act is the Health Care Consent Amendment Act (Parental Consultation), 1996.