HB165 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chip BrownRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Vaccines, parental consent for minor to receive vaccine, required
Summary: HB165 would require written parental consent for vaccination of unemancipated minors, limiting the current ability of some minors to self-consent for vaccines.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 22-8-4 to require written consent from a parent or legal guardian before a vaccination for unemancipated minors. It retains that minors aged 14 or older can generally consent to medical, dental, health, or mental health services without parental consent, but vaccinations are exempt from that rule. It adds conditions under which an unemancipated minor could still receive a vaccination without parental consent: the minor is not dependent for support, lives apart from the parents or is under loco parentis, and is managing their own affairs. The act becomes effective October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects
Unemancipated minors (not legally independent) who want a vaccination would generally need written permission from a parent or guardian, unless they meet specific conditions.
Parents or legal guardians must provide written consent before their unemancipated child can receive a vaccination, and health care providers must obtain that consent before vaccinating.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 22-8-4 to require written parental consent for vaccination of unemancipated minors.
Preserves that minors aged 14 or older may consent to most medical, dental, health or mental health services without parental consent, but not for vaccinations.
Adds three conditions under which an unemancipated minor may consent to vaccination without parental consent: the minor is not dependent on a parent for support, lives apart from the parents or is under loco parentis, and is managing their own affairs.
Effective date: October 1, 2024.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Health