Montana Code Annotated 2017

TITLE 41. MINORS

CHAPTER 1. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MINORS

Part 4. Consent for Health Services

Psychiatric Or Psychological Counseling Under Urgent Circumstances

41-1-406. Psychiatric or psychological counseling under urgent circumstances. When executed by a minor, the consent to the providing of psychiatric or psychological counseling by a physician or psychologist licensed to practice in this state, under circumstances when the need for the counseling is urgent in the opinion of the physician or psychologist involved because of danger to the life, safety, or property of a minor or of another person or persons and the consent of the spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian of the minor cannot be obtained within a reasonable time to offset the danger to life or safety, is as valid and binding as if the minor had achieved majority. The minor has the same legal capacity to act and the same legal obligations with regard to the giving of consent as a person of full legal age and capacity, and the consent is not subject to disaffirmance by reason of minority. The consent of another person, including but not limited to a spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian, is not necessary in order to authorize the psychiatric or psychological counseling of the minor. However, a parent may not be obligated for the cost of the counseling without the parent's consent.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 315, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 100, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 69-6106; amd. Sec. 1594, Ch. 56, L. 2009.