Colorado Law. On May 16, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed the HB19-1120 Youth Mental Health Education & Suicide Prevention. The new law, which took effect upon signature, permits a licensed or registered mental health professional to provide psychotherapy services to a minor who is between the ages of twelve and fourteen years old, at the minor’s request, with or without consent of the minor’s legal guardian, if the mental health professional determines that psychotherapy services are clinically indicated and necessary to the minor’s well-being. The mental health professional may advise the minor’s legal guardian of services provided with the consent of the minor or a court in specific circumstances, unless notifying the legal guardian would be inappropriate or detrimental to the minor’s care and treatment. Colorado Law. The mental health professional may notify the legal guardian, without the minor’s consent, if their professional opinion the minor is unable to manage their own care or treatment.
The law includes documentation requirements and specifies that psychotherapy services must be provided in a culturally appropriate manner. Colorado Law. The law also specifies that treatment without parental consent does not apply to inpatient treatment and that current law concerning liability and duty to warn for mental health professionals applies when a minor communicates a threat or intent to harm themselves or others. The mental health professional may advise the minor’s legal guardian of services provided with the consent of the minor or a court in specific circumstances, unless notifying the legal guardian would be inappropriate or detrimental to the minor’s care and treatment. Colorado Law. The mental health professional may notify the legal guardian, without the minor’s consent, if their professional opinion the minor is unable to manage their own care or treatment. With this in mind, answer the following questions: IN YOUR POST, DO NOT TALK ABOUT ANYONE YOU KNOW past or present. We need to respect confidentiality. What are the pros and cons for this law? Who monitors the ethical application of therapy with the child if the parent is not there? Use APA referencing style.