IL HB1443

Minors age 12 or older may request and receive outpatient counseling services or psychotherapy without parental consent.

Minors under age 17 are initially limited to 8 90-minute sessions before parental consent is required, unless the service provider determines parental notification would be detrimental to the minor's well-being.

Service providers must evaluate by the eighth session whether obtaining parental consent would harm the minor's wellbeing, considering four specific factors including whether the minor would reject treatment or is mature enough to participate.

Parental notification is presumed detrimental when counseling relates to allegations of abuse or neglect by the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis.

Parents are not liable for costs of outpatient counseling received without their consent, and minors' records are protected from parental inspection if compelling reasons exist to deny access.