Thursday, December 30, 2004

Parents of teenagers beware!

Responding to efforts around the state to protect parents’ rights, California’s top attorney has determined that schools are not required to tell parents when a student leaves school to obtain “confidential medical services,” such as an abortion.

However, pro-life groups and even school district representatives say Attorney General Bill Lockyer is misconstruing a state law.

At issue is a statute that says school districts may release students for confidential medical purposes without parental consent.

Lockyer contends the policy is a requirement that prohibits schools from obtaining parental consent before students can be released.

[...]

Earlier this year the Attorney General’s office contacted the Pacific Justice Institute to solicit their opinion on the issue. The legal foundation disagrees with Lockyer’s analysis.

PJI maintains that California law allows school districts to determine whether they will permit students to leave campus without parental permission, but school districts may choose to adopt a policy requiring it.

“Not only do we strongly disagree with Mr. Lockyer’s opinion, but we want to remind school districts that his opinion is in no way legally binding on any school district,” said Brad Dacus, PJI’s President.

“In fact, we pledge to defend in court any school district with a policy requiring parental consent or prior notice before their child is allowed to leave campus,” Dacus said.

Second, schools have a responsibility to inform parents whenever their children leave the campus. Parents have put their children into the care of the school temporarily each day, but the parent is still the final authority of the child’s welfare.

Third, it’s ridiculous that school nurses are unable to administer Tylenol or apirin without a parent’s consent. But to deliver these same kids to a clinic for a surgical procedure without notifying parents is somehow OK? No, not really.

What’s encouraging is that many school districts are ignoring the directive of the Attorney General in California and notifying parents anyway. It’s good to know that there’s a little common sense and decency at work here.