Our Mission
We are dedicated to providing comprehensive information about the existing legal framework that protects parents’ fundamental rights to direct the mental health care of their children and governs parental consent requirements for mental health screening and education. Our mission is to serve as a trusted resource for parents, educators, healthcare providers, and legal professionals who need clear, accurate information about these critical rights and responsibilities.
The Legal Foundation
Parents’ rights to direct their children’s upbringing, education, and medical care are deeply rooted in both constitutional law and statutory protections. The U.S. Supreme Court has consistently recognized that “the fundamental right of parents to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children” is established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition. This right encompasses medical decisions, including mental health care, and is protected under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
Key federal protections include the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), which requires schools to obtain parental consent before subjecting students to surveys or assessments that reveal information about “mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family”. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) further strengthens these protections by requiring “prior written, informed consent from the parent of each child who is under 18 years of age to participate in any mental-health assessment or service” funded under federal education programs.
State-by-State Variations
Mental health consent laws vary significantly by state, creating a complex landscape that parents must navigate. While most states recognize parental authority over their children’s mental health care, the specific age requirements, consent procedures, and exceptions differ considerably. Some states allow minors as young as 12 to consent independently to mental health services, while others maintain parental consent requirements until age 18. Our platform provides detailed information about these state-specific requirements to help families understand their rights and responsibilities.
Our Commitment to Accuracy
All information on our platform is sourced from current state statutes and is not meant to be legal advice.
Who We Serve
Our comprehensive resource serves:
- Parents and guardians seeking to understand their rights regarding their children’s mental health care and education
- Educational professionals who need to comply with state consent requirements
- Healthcare providers treating minors and navigating consent procedures
- Legal professionals representing families in mental health and education matters
- Policy makers working on legislation affecting parental rights and child mental health
Our Values
We believe that informed parents make better decisions for their children. By providing clear, comprehensive information about existing laws we empower families to advocate effectively for their children’s needs while understanding their legal rights and obligations. We support transparency in government processes that affect families and believe that parents should be fully informed participants in decisions affecting their children’s mental health and education.
Our platform serves as a bridge between complex legal frameworks and practical family needs, ensuring that the fundamental right of parents to direct their children’s care is both understood and protected in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.