Minor Consent
This is the minimum age at which a minor can consent to outpatient mental health treatment under California law.
What is 12 years old?
Authorization from this person is required to share a student’s counseling records with a parent.
Who is the student?
This is the threshold required for a mandated reporter to make a report.
What is reasonable suspicion?
This is what reasonable suspicion must be based on according to California law.
What is specific and articulable facts?
Under Health & Safety Code 124260, a minor can only consent to these types of mental health services.
What is outpatient mental health treatment and counseling?
Even if a parent gives consent, you must still prioritize this when sharing information.
What is student confidentiality?
Reports should be made to these two places.
What are law enforcement and county child welfare/CPS?
This is one physical sign that could support a report for physical abuse.
What are bruises, burns, or unexplained injuries?
These are two types of mental health interventions a minor cannot consent to.
What are inpatient treatment and psychotropic medications?
This staff member should always be consulted when parents request student records.
Who is the Wellness Coordinator?
This is the timeframe in which a mandated report must be made.
What is immediately or as soon as practically possible?
This behavioral change in a child might suggest emotional abuse or neglect.
What is extreme withdrawal or fearfulness?
This must be true for a minor to be considered able to participate in treatment.
What is that the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently in the treatment?
This principle extends to school staff inquiring about student services.
What is that records cannot be shared without student authorization?
This is how long you have to submit the written SCAR form after making a verbal report.
What is 36 hours?
A student says, "I get in trouble a lot at home and it hurts because I am hit with a stick on my back and it leaves bruises." This is the action required.
What is report the concern based on reasonable suspicion?
This document should explain your rationale when deciding not to involve parents in a minor’s treatment.
What is a progress note in the student’s wellness file?
This is what interns/trainees must do when responding to parent inquiries about services.
What is involve the Wellness Coordinator?
These two legal protections are given to mandated reporters.
What are immunity from liability and confidentiality of identity?
These three factors together guide a mandated reporter's decision to report.
What are observable signs, student statements, and professional judgment?