Urgent Policy Alert: NC House of Representatives Vote on House Bill 693 Today!
Message from APNC
Urgent Policy Alert: NC House of Representatives Vote on House Bill 693 Today!
The NC House of Representatives will vote on House Bill 693, which would prohibit health care providers or their agents from providing minors with health care services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse issues without notarized consent of the parent (or guardian) and written consent of the minor.
This legislation could have a chilling effect on the ability of our members to treat underage persons, particularly those in delicate family situations in which parental involvement is detrimental to the overall health and stability of the minor involved. Though the legislation does have provisions allow a court to waive the parental consent requirement, the process is cumbersome and difficult for a minor in need of treatment to undertake. Various other medical groups and health organizations are in opposition to this proposed legislation.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY?
- Read and review House Bill 693
- Call your legislator TODAY. You can find a listing of your NC House member by county here.
- Tell your legislator that House Bill 693 could have a chilling effect on the ability of minor to receive information about the prevention of substance abuse, and will make it difficult for minors who need services to receive them.
- Call or text (Mark Ezzell) at (919) 606-7584 and let him know when you contact your legislators.
DON’T DELAY! Your calls do make a difference.
Please feel free to contact Mark Ezzell at (919) 606-7584, if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mark Ezzell, Executive Director
Addiction Professionals of North Carolina
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