House Committee OKs parental rights bill requiring teens to get permission for STD treatment

A second House Committee has backed a bill to forbid doctors from treating teens with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or giving them information on contraceptives unless they get permission from their parents first.

The House Judiciary Committee advanced HB 173, which contains several provisions to expand the Parent’s Bill of Rights for guardians to gain more control and access over their minor children’s medical records and health care decisions. The bill would also prohibit health care practitioners from prescribing drugs to a minor without first getting written parental consent.

“What’s currently happening now is if you have a 12-year-old,” said Rep. Kim Kendall, a St. Augustine Republican sponsoring the bill, “the doctor is pulling them aside and asking the 12-year-old … if they want their parents to have access to their medical records.”

The bill moved through a committee with a 15-4 vote after a politically divided debate that drew concern from Planned Parenthood and others.

“I was told that this was a partisan bill and I refused to accept that because this is just a bill about our children and our parents,” Kendall said.

What sparked the most public outcry at Tuesday’s hearing was the bill’s provision saying doctors can examine or diagnose a teenager for STIs, but cannot actually treat them for the diseases unless parents approve.

Democrats and health care advocates, including Planned Parenthood, condemned the bill and called it dangerous.

“Instead of working to protect Florida’s young people against unintended pregnancies and the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections, some ideologically-driven politicians are placing barriers in their way,” said Michelle Grimsley Shindano, Director of Policy and Government Affairs at Planned Parenthood Florida Action.

Rep. Bruce Antone, an Orlando Democrat, said foster kids and vulnerable teens who are sexually abused and get STIs need to be cared for without obtaining permission from the very people who could be abusing them. Antone ultimately voted down on the bill.

Kendall said when it comes to abuse, doctors are already mandated reporters and are required by law to notify authorities.

“Let’s say we have the 15-year-old girl in this horrific situation that her foster dad is raping her,” Kendall said. “We are examining her, treating her, and sending her back into that situation. That needs to stop. We need to have some sort of alert. … That doctor, that medical provider, that adult, whoever, must report it so we can get that child, and God forbid any other siblings, out of that situation.”

Kendall also argued exemptions were written into her bill to protect teenagers, including a rule that said medical professionals would not need parental permission if minors require emergency treatment.

Another provision in the bill would require parental consent to use a bio-feedback device for disciplinary actions in school which comes from a situation happening in St. Johns County School District, Kendall said.

Seven schools use heart math monitors for problematic students to calm down, Kendall said. The student is encouraged to breathe while his or her heart information is posted on the monitor in the middle of class, Kendall said.

“The parents don’t know about it,” Kendall said. “So my simple thing is if this is a great disciplinary tool — ask me first.”

It’s not the first time the House has taken up the bigger issues in Kendall’s bill. A similar proposal advanced the full House in 2025 and then ended up dying in the Senate.

A Senate companion bill (SB 166) filed by Sen. Erin Grall was referred to three Senate committees but has yet to be called to a vote yet.