Adolescent Health Gateway
Consent and Confidentiality Laws in Minnesota
State laws in Minnesota allow young people under 18 years of age to consent to certain types of health care services without parent or guardian permission These laws help young people seek confidential health care for sensitive issues such as pregnancy or pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infections, mental health care, and substance use. They also provide confidentiality for those services. Minor consent and confidentiality laws promote positive health outcomes and behaviors for young people seeking necessary care.
How the law protects confidential services for young people depends on several factors, including age, if parent or young person is consenting to the care, or at the judgement of the health care provider.
Minnesota Statutes related to minor consent and confidentiality:
Sec. 144.341 MN Statutes: Minors living apart from parents
Sec. 144.342 MN Statutes: Minors who are married or have given birth
Sec. 144.343 MN Statutes: Pregnancy, venereal disease (STIs), alcohol or drug abuse, abortion
Sec. 144.3431 MN Statutes: Nonresidential mental health services
Sec. 144.344 MN Statutes: Emergency Treatment
Sec. 144.3441 MN Statutes: Hepatitis B Vaccination
Sec. 144.345 MN Statutes: Health care provider protections
Sec. 144.346 MN Statutes: Limits to confidentiality
Sec. 144.347 MN Statutes: Financial responsibility
Sec. 253B.04 MN Statutes: Inpatient mental health care and substance use treatment
Additional resources to help understand the consent and confidentiality laws in Minnesota:
- Minor Consent for Health Care Flowchart and Flowchart Narrative
- Minor's Consent for Health Care, MN State Statute summary (2023) (PDF)
- Abortion and Reproductive Health Rights
The Minnesota Adolescent and Youth Adult Heath Care in Minnesota guide is an informative resource with general guidelines and is not produced or directly published by the Minnesota Department of Health. This document does not yet reflect updates from the 2023 Minnesota Legislative session.
These documents provide general information only and do not constitute legal advice or consult from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please consult your agency’s policies, procedures, and legal counsel for information specific to your practice.
The Adolescents and Confidential Health Care fact sheet provides an overview of Minnesota statutes that increase timely access for minors seeking care for sensitive issues.