Medical Consent for a Minor
Do This Before You Leave Your Kids with Someone While Away
Vacations with the kids are great but sometimes you need some adult time. It's not uncommon for parents to leave kids with a grandparent, sibling, aunt/uncle, or even friends of the family during an adult vacation or business trip. You hope that no emergencies arise while you’re gone. Just in case something were to happen, you leave the caretaker with your cell phone number and other details so they can contact you in case of an emergency. That’s not enough.
What if your child has a medical emergency and you can’t be reached? Maybe you’re in a bad cell area, or in a conference where you can’t be bothered. Your caretaker might need to make quick decisions and have the authority to make them. That’s where a medical power of attorney for your child is critically important.
Medical Consent for a Minor
Under the Medical Consent Act, a parent who is temporarily unable to care for the needs of a minor child or children may designate an adult to consent to medical and/or mental health treatment for a minor child or children.
This act permits the designated adult, on behalf of the designated minor or minors, to consent to medical, surgical, dental, developmental, mental health, or other treatment. Such a designation must be in writing and must be signed by the parent in the presence of two witnesses who are at least eighteen (18) years old. The adult who is being given the power to consent to the treatment specified also must sign the document.
Legal custodians and legal guardians of minor children may also designate another adult to consent to treatment on behalf of the minor or minors for whom they are responsible.
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