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Massachusetts Analysis

The current Massachusetts Mature Minor Rule (MMR)88 only allows minors to access health care without parental consent for very specific health issues. LO #2's ultimate goal with respect to the MMR is to provide JRI with options for writing legislation to expand the MMR in Massachusetts, in order to ensure that at-risk youth and youth generally have greater access to medical services, which is a critical step in maintaining a healthier life. To analyze potential options for an expanded MMR, the following section focuses on three areas: current treatment allowed under the Massachusetts MMR and legislative history; how the current statute acts as a constraint for both at-risk youth and health care providers including mental health and payment matters; and options for expanding the MMR as a solution to those constraints encompassing research on the standard to determine if a minor is mature enough to access health care without parental consent.



Footnotes

...88
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 12F (2002).


Subsections
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