HB 1910

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 has a difference of opinion with a medical professional regarding the safety, efficacy, or advisability of various treatment protocols specific to that child. Provides that a child shall not be considered neglected solely because a child's parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare objects to: (i) a recommended vaccination schedule or the dosing schedule for vaccines; (ii) the administration of ophthalmic antibiotics or silver nitrate in newborns; (iii) the administration of, timing of, or route of administration for vitamin K in newborns; or other specified medical care. Provides that requests for minimally invasive diagnostic tests for the child and a diagnosis of or treatment of pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections shall not be considered an indication of neglect. 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.