ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
Allows a minor with a suspected eating disorder to consent to an evaluation, examination or outpatient treatment from a licensed or certified health care professional.
Eating is controlled by many factors including appetite, food availability, family, peer and cultural practices, as well as attempts at voluntary control. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior and feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight. Eating disorders are treatable medical illnesses. According to NIMH, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the main types of eating disorders. Binge-eating disorder has not yet been approved as a formal psychiatric diagnosis. Eating disorders often occur concurrently with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse and anxiety disorders.
According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 8 million Americans suffer from eating disorders. Additionally, 86 percent of sufferers are afflicted with the disease by the age of 20. According to information from the Harvard Eating Disorders Center, approximately half of the people suffering from anorexia or bulimia achieve a full recovery. Early diagnosis and treatment increase eating disorder recovery rates.
H.B. 2152 allows a minor with a suspected eating disorder to seek evaluation, examination or treatment from a licensed or certified health care professional. Arizona statute defines a minor as a person under the age of 18 years. Currently, Arizona law allows minors to consent to the following: medical treatment for venereal diseases, contraceptive services and placement of a child for adoption. Arizona law also authorizes a minor, who is at least 12 years old and is experiencing withdrawal symptoms or is under the influence of a dangerous drug or narcotic, to receive treatment for alcohol and drug abuse.
There is no cost to the state general fund associated with the provisions of H.B. 2152.
1. Allows a minor with a suspected eating disorder to seek evaluation, examination or outpatient treatment from a licensed or certified health care professional without parental consent.
2. Requires the licensed or certified health care professional to obtain consent from the minor’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) within 72 hours.
3. Changes the article heading from “Capacity to Contract” to “Capacity of Minors”.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
Health 3/05/01 DPA 8-2-0-0-0
HS 3/13/01 W/D
3rd Read 3/21/01 31-25-4-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 23, 2001