Outpatient Mental Health Care Services - A Minor's Right

The 1979 Session of the General Assembly made important changes in Title 54 of the Code of Virginia pertaining to health care for minors. One of the principal changes involved the right of unemancipated minors to seek outpatient treatment for mental health problems without the consent of their parents. Additionally, lawmakers deleted the criminal sanctions imposed against medical practitioners who performed authorized abortions on consenting minors. This bill appears to bring into Virginia a partial realization of a child's right to due process and equal protection under the law.