‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ hurts kids’ medical care

The Florida Legislature passed HB 241, which is designed to make sure that children do not receive medical care without parents’ approval.

A physician who treats a minor outside of a hospital without written parental consent, even in an emergency, will be guilty of a misdemeanor.

If this bill is signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a physician treating a bleeding child on the street, or a team physician caring for an injured athlete without a signed consent, will be guilty of a crime.

The bill has dire consequences that couldn’t have been intended by the authors. DeSantis must veto the bill. The Legislature can return next year and rewrite the law with appropriate protections for emergency situations.

Lawrence Halperin Altamonte Springs The author is a doctor at the Orlando Orthopaedic Center.