The Alabama House Judiciary Committee advanced legislation on Thursday that would require parental consent before administering vaccines to minors.
After filing for the third year in a row, State Rep. Chip Brown's (R-Hollinger's Island) bill changing the state laws on the age of medical consent is heading for another House vote after clearing its first committee hurdle.
Under current Alabama law, any minor over the age of 14 or a high school graduate can give legal consent to any authorized medical, dental or mental health treatment without the permission of a parent or guardian. House Bill 2 (HB2), sponsored by Brown, would mandate parental consent for an unemancipated minor.
Brown filed identical legislation in 2024, which successfully passed the Alabama House of Representatives. However, like several bills this year, gambling gridlock prevented it from receiving Senate deliberation. A similar bill from Brown also failed to pass in 2023.
HB2 passed the Judiciary Committee without any debate whatsoever. It will now go to the House floor for debate and a full vote.
The bill would add a short caveat to the existing law: "an unemancipated minor may not give consent to the administration of a vaccination for himself or herself without the written consent of a parent or legal guardian." The current medical age of consent in Alabama is 14, a law that has faced criticism from lawmakers who believe it is outdated.
During the 2024 debate, Republicans supported the bill to a one, while many House Democrats blasted the bill as "government overreach."
Brown noted that vaccinations for COVID-19 were rushed out during "operation warp speed" when he first introduced the legislation. He also stated that potential side effects that could manifest even years after receiving the shots have yet to be studied or tested.
The Alabama Department of Public Health currently employs the parental consent model in its vaccination guidelines; HB2 would merely codify those guidelines into state law.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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