38-2316. Health services. (a) Physical care and treatment. (1) When the health or condition of a juvenile who is subject to the jurisdiction of the court requires it, the court may consent to hospital, medical, surgical or dental treatment or procedures including the release and inspection of medical or dental records.

(2) When the health or condition of a juvenile requires it and the juvenile has been placed in the custody of the commissioner or a person other than a parent or placed in or committed to a facility, the custodian or an agent designated by the custodian shall be the personal representative for the purpose of consenting to disclosure of otherwise protected health information and have authority to consent to hospital, medical, surgical or dental treatment or procedures including the release and inspection of medical or dental records, subject to terms and conditions the court considers proper. A juvenile or parent of a juvenile who is opposed to certain medical procedures authorized by this section may request an opportunity for a hearing thereon before the court. Subsequent to the hearing, the court may authorize or limit the performance of the proposed treatment subject to the terms and conditions the court considers proper. The provisions of this subsection shall also apply to juvenile felons, as defined in K.S.A. 38-16,112, prior to its repeal, and juveniles in the custody of the department of corrections pursuant to K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 38-2366, and amendments thereto, who have been placed in a juvenile correctional facility pursuant to K.S.A. 75-5206, and amendments thereto.

(3) Any health care provider, who in good faith renders hospital, medical, surgical or dental care or treatment to any juvenile after a consent has been obtained as authorized by this section, shall not be liable in any civil or criminal action for failure to obtain consent of a parent.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that any person shall be relieved of legal responsibility to provide care and support for a juvenile.

(b) Mental care and treatment. If it is brought to the court's attention, while the court is exercising jurisdiction over a juvenile under this code, that the juvenile may be a mentally ill person as defined in K.S.A. 59-2946, and amendments thereto, the court may:

(1) Direct or authorize the county or district attorney or the person supplying the information to file the petition provided for in K.S.A. 59-2957, and amendments thereto, and proceed to hear and determine the issues raised by the application as provided in the care and treatment act for mentally ill persons; or

(2) authorize the juvenile to seek voluntary admission to a treatment facility as provided in K.S.A. 59-2949, and amendments thereto.

The application to determine whether the juvenile is a mentally ill person may be filed in the same proceedings as the petition alleging the juvenile to be a juvenile offender or may be brought in separate proceedings. In either event, the court may enter an order staying any further proceedings under this code until all proceedings have been concluded under the care and treatment act for mentally ill persons.

History: L. 2006, ch. 169, § 16; Jan. 1, 2007.