
Minnesota Statute 253B.04 subd.1 allows youth who are 16 years of age or older to consent for inpatient mental health services. Confidentiality protections allow adolescents and young adults to seek the health care they need and protect their privacy for these services.
What is the age of consent in Minnesota?
The “age of consent” is the minimum age at which a person has the legal ability to consent to sexual activity. Generally, the age of consent in Minnesota is 16 years of age. Meaning, except under certain circumstances, any 16-year-old can legally consent to sexual activity with any other consenting person.
What are the consent and confidentiality laws in Minnesota?
Consent and Confidentiality Laws in MN Minnesota has state laws that allow minors to consent to certain types of services without parent or guardian permission (Minnesota Statutes Sections 144.341 - 144.344).
What age can a minor consent to a hospitalization?
A minor 16 years of age or older may consent to hospitalization, routine diagnostic evaluation, and emergency or short-term acute care; and
What are the laws for Mental Health in Minnesota?
These laws help young people seek confidential health care for sensitive issues such as pregnancy or pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infections, and substance use or abuse. Minnesota Statute 253B.04 subd.1 allows youth who are 16 years of age or older to consent for inpatient mental health services.

What is the age of medical consent in Minnesota?
16 years or olderAny person 16 years or older may request admission to a treatment facility for observation or treatment of mental illness, chemical dependency, or developmental disability and may give valid consent for hospitalization, routine diagnostic evaluation, and emergency or short-term acute care.
At what age can someone consent to medical treatment?
People aged 16 or over are entitled to consent to their own treatment. This can only be overruled in exceptional circumstances. Like adults, young people (aged 16 or 17) are presumed to have sufficient capacity to decide on their own medical treatment, unless there's significant evidence to suggest otherwise.
Can a 12 year old give consent to medical treatment?
You can provide medical treatment to a child or young person with their consent if they are competent, or with the consent of a parent or the court. You can provide emergency treatment without consent to save the life of, or prevent serious deterioration in the health of, a child or young person.
Do both parents need to consent for therapy in Minnesota?
In Minnesota as with most other states, the general rule is that a parent must be informed about and give consent for medical treatment for her child. A minor (whether sexually assaulted or not) may obtain a medical examination to diagnose or treat these conditions.
Can under 16 refuse medical treatment?
A young person aged 16-18 cannot refuse treatment if it has been agreed by a person with Parental Responsibility or the Court and it is in their best interests. Therefore, they do not have the same status as adults.
What age can you give informed consent?
Common law presumes that young people aged between 16 and 18 are usually competent to give consent to treatment.
Can a 5 year old give consent for medical treatment?
Comments: A child-parent of sufficient maturity may consent to medical or surgical treatment on her child's behalf. Conditions that have to be met: If the consent is for surgical treatment, the assent of the parent or guardian of the child-parent's should also be obtained.
At what age is a child able to give consent for the processing of their own personal data under GDPR?
16 years oldWhere point (a) of Article 6(1) applies, in relation to the offer of information society services directly to a child, the processing of the personal data of a child shall be lawful where the child is at least 16 years old.
At what age do you have medical autonomy?
In the American legal system, the age of maturity is 18, while youths under 18 cannot make healthcare decisions without their parents' consent.
Can I go to the doctor alone at 17 in MN?
Can I get medical, dental, mental and other health services, without my parents' or guardians' permission? Yes, IF you: are not living with your parents or legal guardian, and you take care of your own personal financial affairs OR.
Does Minnesota have a mature minor doctrine?
Minnesota has state laws that allow minors to consent to certain types of services without parent or guardian permission (Minnesota Statutes Sections 144.341 - 144.344).
What can you do at 18 in Minnesota?
Eighteen-year-olds may marry in Minnesota without parental consent, and may consent to have sex. Eighteen-year-olds may also buy cigarettes, possess a stun gun, and buy lottery tickets in Minnesota. A pheasant stamp validation for a small game license to hunt pheasants is needed by Minnesotans age 18 or older.
Degrees of Criminal Sexual Conduct
In Minnesota, there are four degrees of criminal sexual conduct involving statutory rape. The most serious felony is First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. This occurs when there is “sexual penetration” involving:
Penalties and Defenses
The penalties for anyone convicted of criminal sexual conduct are severe and vary from case to case. The most serious cases involve potentially up to 30 years in prison. Other cases deemed less serious may involve a jail sentence at a county jail and/or supervised probation.
How old do you have to be to have sex in Minnesota?
Minnesota Age of Consent. The age of consent in Minnesota is 16 years old. Furthermore, a child between 13 and 16 of age can legally consent to sex with someone who is not more than two years older than them.
How old is a child when charged with second degree sexual conduct?
If sexual contact (not considered penetration) occurs between a child under 13 years old and a defendant who is at least three years older, or between a child who is at least 13 of age but under 16 and a defendant who is in a position of power and at least four years older, it is charged as second-degree sexual conduct.
What is considered statutory rape?
However, if an adult engages in sexual conduct with a minor who is four years younger than them, the adult could be charged with statutory rape in the state. If the victim is under 13 years of age—no matter the age of the defendant—it is also considered statutory rape.
Who has the right to give or withhold consent?
A patient with a developmental disability, or the patient's guardian, has the right to give or withhold consent before: (1) the implementation of any aversive or deprivation procedure except for emergency procedures permitted in rules of the commissioner adopted under section 245.825; or.
Who can authorize disclosure of patient information?
Upon admission to a treatment facility or state-operated treatment program where federal law prohibits unauthorized disclosure of patient or resident identifying information to callers and visitors, the patient or resident, or the legal guardian of the patient or resident, shall be given the opportunity to authorize disclosure of the patient's or resident's presence in the facility to callers and visitors who may seek to communicate with the patient or resident. To the extent possible, the legal guardian of a patient or resident shall consider the opinions of the patient or resident regarding the disclosure of the patient's or resident's presence in the facility.
What is the right of a patient to access medical records?
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 144.292, every person subject to a proceeding or receiving services pursuant to this chapter and the patient's attorney shall have complete access to all medical records relevant to the person's commitment. A provider may require an attorney to provide evidence of representation of the patient or an authorization signed by the patient.
What happens if a physician refuses to comply with a declaration?
If the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or other provider is unwilling at any time to comply with the declaration, the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or provider must promptly notify the declarant and document the notification in the declarant's medical record.
What is a limitation on the exercise of a patient's correspondence rights?
Any limitation imposed on the exercise of a patient's correspondence rights and the reason for it shall be made a part of the clinical record of the patient. Any communication which is not delivered to a patient shall be immediately returned to the sender. §. Subd. 3.
How often should a treatment facility assess mental health?
The treatment facility, state-operated treatment program, or community-based treatment program shall assess the physical and mental condition of every patient as frequently as necessary, but not less often than annually. If the patient refuses to be examined, the treatment facility, state-operated treatment program, ...
What is the right to periodic medical assessment?
5. Periodic assessment. A patient has the right to periodic medical assessment, including assessment of the medical necessity of continuing care and, if the treatment facility, state-operated treatment program, or community-based treatment program declines to provide continuing care, the right to receive specific written reasons why continuing care ...
Spotlight
To be added to the MN Partnership for Adolescent Health Listserv please email Health.AdolescentHealth @state.mn.us
Questions?
Contact the Adolescent Health Program at 651-201-3650 or email Health.AdolescentHealth @state.mn.us.
What are the age gaps in Minnesota?
Consent, Age Gaps, and The Law. According to the Revisor of the Office of Statutes, Minnesota has what are commonly referred to as Romeo and Juliet laws regarding the age of consent. In short, there are allowances made for consenting partners who are very close to one another in age. For example, someone can consent to sex if they are ...
What are the factors that can lead to sexual behavior becoming criminal in Minnesota?
Anyone that’s a parent or guardian of a child, anyone charged with a duty or responsibility for that child’s health, welfare, or supervision falls under this category . Another category is significant relationship, which can include siblings and step-siblings as well as other family relations, as well as anyone who lives in the house with the minor on a regular basis.
How old are girls in Minnesota?
Girls are slightly older at 17.3-years. Only about 16% of kids have relations before they are 15-years-old. For those few, parents universally will worry that their child is making a bad choice. They may start to question, “What is the age of consent in Minnesota?”.
What are the offenses under the Minnesota rape statute?
In Minnesota, there are four basic offense types that fall under the “Minnesota statutory rape statute”. First-Degree Sexual Conduct. This charge implies sexual penetration with a minor under the age of 13 by someone who is three or more years their senior.
What is alleged third degree sexual conduct?
Alleged third-degree sexual conduct means that sexual penetration has occurred between a child that is under 13 and someone not more than three years older. Other reasons for this accusation may be that the child is between 13-16 with someone more than two years older, or a child that is 16-18 with someone four years older and in a position ...
Why is age of consent important?
The purpose of an “Age of Consent Law” is so that kids have protection from unwanted sexual advances. It protects them from people who are older or in an authoritative position. The goal is not always to stop kids from having sex if they are ready to do so. It is a law to keep them away from people who may push them into something they are not ...
How old do you have to be to be in Romeo and Juliet?
The Romeo and Juliet Law is designed to protect parties that are under 16 years old but in a healthy relationship with someone near their age group.
What is child enticement?
This is an attempt by a person to “entice” a child to engage in sexual relations. To be considered for this charge, a child under 16 must be approached by a person over 18 verbally. No sexual activity beyond talk needs to happen.
How long can you go to jail for a sex offender?
If you are found guilty, it can mean up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $40,000. Second-Degree Sexual Conduct. When this is alleged it indicates that a sexual act (not penetration), has happened between a 13-16-year-old and someone who is at least four years older.
