HB 4769

Abstract

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that a child shall not be considered neglected solely because the child's parent or other person responsible for his or her welfare: (i) objects to a recommended vaccination schedule; (ii) objects to the administration of opioid medication or ophthalmic antibiotics in newborns; (iii) objects to the administration, in non-emergency situations, of a medication without review of an FDA-approved package insert or instructions for use; (iv) objects to separation of the child and parent or other person responsible for his or her welfare by the medical professional during non-emergency medical consultations; (v) requests minimally invasive diagnostic tests for the child; or (vi) seeks diagnosis of or treatment of symptoms associated with Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections. Provides that if a medical professional complies with an objection or request set forth in the amendatory Act by a child's parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare, no liability for any such decision may attach to the medical professional. Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that a child's parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare has a right to be free from threats by medical professionals to refer a child to protective services, unless the medical professional has a good faith basis to believe that the child otherwise meets the definition of an abused child or a neglected child as defined under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules.