Minors: consent to medical care.

Existing law authorizes a minor who is 12 years of age or older to consent to medical care and counseling relating to the diagnosis and treatment of a drug- or alcohol-related problem. Existing law exempts replacement narcotic abuse treatment, as specified, from these provisions. This bill would authorize a minor who is 16 years of age or older to consent to replacement narcotic abuse treatment that uses buprenorphine at a physician's office, clinic, or health facility, by a licensed physician and surgeon or other health care provider, as specified, whether or not the minor also has the consent of their parent or guardian. The bill would authorize a minor 16 years of age or older to consent to any other medications for opioid use disorder from a licensed narcotic treatment program as replacement narcotic therapy without the consent of the minor's parent or guardian only if, and to the extent, expressly permitted by federal law.