Montana Code Annotated 2001

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     41-1-402. Validity of consent of minor for health services. (1) The consent to the provision of medical or surgical care or services by a hospital or public clinic or to the performance of medical or surgical care or services by a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state may be given by a minor who professes or is found to meet any of the following descriptions:
     (a) a minor who is or was ever married or has had a child or graduated from high school or is emancipated;
     (b) a minor who has been separated from the minor's parent, parents, or legal guardian for whatever reason and is providing self-support by whatever means;
     (c) a minor who professes or is found to be pregnant or afflicted with any reportable communicable disease, including a sexually transmitted disease, or drug and substance abuse, including alcohol. This self-consent applies only to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of those conditions specified in this subsection. The self-consent in the case of pregnancy, a sexually transmitted disease, or drug and substance abuse also obliges the health professional, if the health professional accepts the responsibility for treatment, to counsel the minor or to refer the minor to another health professional for counseling.
     (d) a minor who needs emergency care, including transfusions, without which the minor's health will be jeopardized. If emergency care is rendered, the parent, parents, or legal guardian must be informed as soon as practical except under the circumstances mentioned in this subsection (1).
     (2) A minor who has had a child may give effective consent to health service for the child.
     (3) A minor may give consent for health care for the minor's spouse if the spouse is unable to give consent by reason of physical or mental incapacity.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 189, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 312, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 100, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 69-6101; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 440, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 188, Ch. 42, L. 1997.

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