Nashville, TN (WOKI) As school starts back, lawmakers are reminding everyone of Tennessee’s new parental consent law.
The new law requires the doctor or nurse to consult with parents by phone or text before treatment in non-emergency situations. It also applies to school counseling; however, lawmakers say counselors can still listen to a student’s problems or concerns without parental consent.
Should an emergency situation arise, the law does stipulate that any person, including a school nurse, can provide a child with medical assistance to include treating a wound or taking a child to the emergency room in the event of a serious injury.
Seven other states have similar laws that require parental consent for non-emergency medical services: Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
