What if a teenager called a suicide prevention hotline just to be hung up on? If House Bill 173 in the Florida Legislature passes, that’s just one of many dangerous and immediate consequences that Florida youth will face.
Ideally, every teenager would talk to their parents about serious issues like health care decisions and their mental health, and most do. But in the real world, this can’t always happen. If this bill becomes law, those kids will soon be left behind.
House Bill 173 and Senate Bill 166 pose a dangerous threat to young people and their futures. If passed, this bill would not allow minors to be prescribed birth control (or even get information about it), receive treatment for an STI, or access potentially life-saving mental health services if their parent does not give permission.
Tell the House Education and Employment Committee to OPPOSE House Bill 173 today.
Teachers, doctors, and counselors are trained experts who partner with parents every day and share the goal of protecting youth. But the reality is, not every family is present or safe to involve in decisions, and those young people still deserve respect, dignity, and access to health care. If this bill passes, minors, especially those in abusive and neglectful households, could lose their only access points for receiving the care they want and need.
Most parents rightfully want to be involved in their teens’ lives but when that can’t happen, safety must come first. In addition to being cut off from crisis mental health resources, under this bill, a teen could be refused treatment for an STI which could lead to cancer, reduced motor functions, infertility, and even death.
A similar bill passed in Idaho and within its first year as law, 1,500 young people called the state’s suicide hotline, and most hung up after being told they had to get a parent on the line.
The 988 Director stated, “If a teenager tells us they are suicidal but they’re not at imminent risk, meaning they may not have a plan, they may not have access to lethal means, they’re still feeling suicidal and it is best practice … to offer a follow up call the next day within 24 hours. And we’re not able to offer that follow up call or support to minors because of this law.”
Urge lawmakers to stand for the safety of young Floridians by opposing HB 173.