California Governor Brown recently signed AB 499 (2011), a bill that increases youth access to critical preventive health care.   AB 499 allows youth age 12 and older to consent to medical care related to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

A study by the Centers for Disease Control released in 2008 estimated that one in four (26 percent) young women between the ages of 14 and 19 in the United States – or 3.2 million teenage girls – was already infected with at least one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, and trichomoniasis).  Other studies have demonstrated that the infection rate is even higher in certain minority groups and special teen populations, such as foster youth and youth in the juvenile justice system. 

Access to preventive care for these teens is critical.  Some STDs, such as HPV and HIV, are preventable but not curable, and once someone is infected, these STDs can have devastating and sometimes deadly impact.  

California law already allows minors 12 and older to consent to diagnosis and treatment of STDs; AB 499 means minors now will be able to consent to preventive care as well.   AB 499 brings California in line with almost a dozen other states that already allow some minors to consent to preventive STD services.  Every state already allows minors to consent to STD treatment on their own accord.

As all 50 state legislatures have recognized, the option of minor consent is critical.  Research demonstrates that most teens do involve their parents in their sensitive health care needs, but that for a small number, family communication is not possible and actually may be dangerous. AB 499 means that this small group of teens will now have access to care that wasn't available to them before in California.  The bill will take effect on January 1, 2012.

Download the text of AB 499 (2011)

The Problem with Private Insurance
Youth Law News April-June 2007 - On June 8, 2006, the FDA approved the first vaccine against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). With its status as a vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, Immunization Advisory Committee, the HPV vaccine should be easily accessible. However, its high cost is becoming a barrier to care.

Youth Law News article published July 2006.

In California, minors have a right to attend confidential medical appointments during the school day.  This document describes the parameters of that right.