CO HB1320

Lowers the age of consent for minors to seek outpatient psychotherapy from 15 years old to 12 years old without parental consent or notification.

Licensed mental health professionals are immune from civil or criminal liability when providing outpatient psychotherapy services to minors 12 and older, unless they act negligently or outside their scope of practice.

Requires mental health professionals to immediately notify parents or guardians if a minor receiving services communicates a clear and imminent intent or threat to inflict serious bodily harm on themselves or others.

Maintains the existing age of consent at 15 years old for inpatient mental health services, which still require parental consent.

Cites public health concerns including suicide being the leading cause of death for Colorado youth ages 10-14 and a 50% increase in youth suicide rates over three decades as justification.