Tennessee

The actual law:

By judicial decision (Cardwell v. Bechtol, 724 S.W.2d 739, Tenn. 1987), Tennessee provides that mature minors who are capable of meeting the informed consent standard have consent authority. This decision was reaffirmed by the state's attorney general in 2003 (Tenn. Op. Att’y Gen. No. 03-087).

The courts in Tennessee have also adopted the “mature minor” doctrine that allows a physician to treat a mature minor without parental consent. In determining who is a “mature minor“, Tennessee follows the “Rule of Sevens.”

Under the age of 7, there is no capacity, and the physician must have parental consent to treat (unless a statutory exception applies).

Between the ages of 7 and 14, there is a rebuttable presumption that there is no capacity, and a physician generally should get parental consent before treating (unless a statutory exception applies).

Between the ages of 14 and 18, there is a rebuttable presumption of capacity, and the physician may treat without parental consent unless the physician believes that the minor is not sufficiently mature to make his or her own health care decisions.”

Mature Minor Doctrine, Tennessee - Tennessee Department of Health HIV/STD Program

What this means:

In Tennessee, minors who are 14 years old or older do not need their parent’s consent to receive all healthcare services, including vaccinations. This is called a “mature minor doctrine” and essentially means that if you talk to your doctor/healthcare provider and they decide you are “mature enough” to make your own health care decisions, you can.

Note: Minors can receive some health care services without parental consent in Title X-funded clinics. Call a nearby clinic to see if they will administer vaccinations without parental consent or your state health department for more information.

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