ACLU of Florida HB 173 Would Endanger the Health and Safety of Young People

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Yesterday, House Bill (HB 173), deceptively titled “Parental Rights,” advanced in the Florida Legislature, passing the House Education and Employment Committee, and now heads to the House floor. HB 173 harms young people and restricts their access to essential health care.

Kara Gross, Interim Political Director of the ACLU of Florida, shared the following statement:

“HB 173 endangers young people by placing dangerous and unnecessary barriers between minors and essential health care, including contraception, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and crisis mental health intervention. This bill doesn’t protect children – it abandons them.

 

“By requiring health care providers to turn away minors seeking time-sensitive and medically necessary care, HB 173 jeopardizes the health and safety of Florida’s children. Under this bill, if a medical professional determines that a minor has an STI, they would be required to withhold treatment that could quickly treat the STI.

 

“At the very least, the bill should explicitly provide that if a healthcare provider is unable to reach the parent, that they can still provide healthcare to the minor. Delaying treatment for STIs can lead to significant health consequences for minors, including infertility.

 

“HB 173 would also make it significantly harder for young people to access contraception. Given the state’s extreme six-week abortion ban, we should be doing everything we can to help young people protect themselves against unintended pregnancies. This bill does the opposite. This bill is so extreme that it even prohibits doctors from providing contraceptive information to minors, regardless of whether the doctor believes the minor may ‘suffer probable health hazards if such services are not provided.’

 

“Young people who cannot safely involve a parent or guardian – including those facing abuse, neglect, or rejection at home – will be especially harmed.

 

“Florida lawmakers should be focused on supporting young people and the professionals who care for them. Instead, HB 173 creates fear, blocks access to care, and puts vulnerable youth in danger. Harming children in the name of ‘parental rights’ makes no sense.”