24-307 Restrictions Removed for Minors' Access to Mental Health Treatment
Date: 06/28/24
Amendments to §6924 of the Family Code removes need for parental consent requirement for mental health treatment
Assembly Bill (AB) 665 will align existing laws which allow minors ages 12 and over to consent to mental health treatment or counseling on an outpatient basis, or to residential shelter services.
Effective July 1, 2024, AB 665 removes additional requirements via amendments to §6924 of the Family Code, allowing minors to consent to mental health treatment or counseling without the need to demonstrate they are at risk of serious physical or mental harm to themselves or others, or victims of alleged abuse.
Additionally, mental health professionals can now consult with minors before involving their parents or guardians if they believe it's inappropriate to do so.
Expanded definition of mental health professional
§6924 of the Family Code extends the definition of “mental health professional” to include:
- A registered psychologist.
- A registered psychological assistant.
- A psychological trainee.
- An associate clinical social worker.
- A social work intern.
- A clinical counselor trainee working under the supervision of a licensed professional.
- A board-certified psychiatrist to the definition of professional person for these purposes.
Additional information
For additional details on AB 665, please refer to the following link:
Relevant sections of Health Net’s provider operations manuals and the Behavioral Health Provider Operations Manual have been revised to reflect the information contained in this update as applicable. Provider operations manuals are available electronically in the Provider Library on Health Net’s provider portal.
If you have questions regarding the information contained in this update, contact the Health Net Provider Services Center by email, by telephone or through the Health Net provider portal. Behavioral health providers can call 844-966-0298.
Line of business | Phone number |
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Ambetter from Health Net IFP Ambetter PPO | |
Ambetter HMO | |
Health Net Employer Group HMO & POS | |
Medi-Cal (including CS and ECM providers) |
This information applies to Physicians, Participating Physician Groups (PPGs), Hospitals, Ancillary Providers, Community Supports (CS) Providers, Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Providers, and Behavioral Health Providers.
For Medi-Cal, this information applies to Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Los Angeles, including Molina, Mono, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne counties.