House of Representatives

HB 2152

minors; eating disorder treatment

Sponsors: Representative Pickens

 

DPA

Committee on Health

X

Committee on Human Services

 

Caucus and COW

 

 

As Passed the House

 

HB 2152 will allow minors to obtain treatment for eating disorders without parental consent.

 

History

There are three main types of eating disorders classified by the National Institute for Mental Health: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder.  Anorexia is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss; Bulimia by the binge-purge cycle of eating; Binge Eating as periods of uncontrolled eating beyond the point of being "full."  According to Eating Disorders Prevention, Inc., 5-10 million girls and women in the U.S. are experiencing an eating disorder or borderline condition, and 1 million boys and men are also afflicted.  Eating disorders arise from a combination of behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal and social factors.  According to Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc., approximately 60 per cent of people with an eating disorder recover with treatment, while up to 20 per cent of those who have serious eating disorders and do not receive treatment die.

 

Provisions

·                      Permits a minor to seek either inpatient or outpatient treatment for a possible eating disorder in a facility with a licensed health care professional experienced in treating eating disorders.

·                      Allows the licensed health care professional to treat the minor for the eating disorder without the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

 

HB 2152 passed the Health Committee amended as follows:

·                      Replaces the reference to inpatient treatment with an evaluation or examination.

·                      Removes the requirement for the health care professional to be experienced in treating eating disorders.

·                      Requires a health care professional to obtain parental consent within 72 hours of evaluating, examining or providing outpatient treatment to a minor.

 

 

 

 

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44th Legislature                                                                                                                                   

Second Regular Session                                   2                                                            March 6, 2001

 

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