News Releases

Leising: Bill to allow pregnancy-related care for minors passes committee

Contact: Lindsey Ross, Senior Press Secretary
Lindsey.Ross@iga.in.gov 
317-232-9498

STATEHOUSE (March 28, 2019) – A bill sponsored by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) that would allow minors to receive pregnancy-related care recently passed the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services unanimously.

House Bill 1547 would allow minors who are at least 16 years old to consent to healthcare if they are pregnant, in labor or postpartum. The bill would require the healthcare provider to make a reasonable effort to contact the minor’s parent or guardian before providing treatment.

“Many young women are coming into hospitals across our state to deliver a child, but they are unable to receive basic care unless the situation becomes serious because their parents or guardians are not present,” Leising said. “For the safety of the mother and baby, we need to make sure these young women are able to consent to necessary care, as Indiana already has high maternal and infant mortality rates.”

According to America’s Health Rankings by the United Health Foundation, Indiana’s maternal mortality rate was twice the national average in 2018. The report also found that 7.4 infant deaths occurred per 1,000 live births in 2018 compared to 5.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births that occurred nationwide.

HB 1547 will now move to the full Senate for consideration.

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For a high-resolution photo of Sen. Leising, click here.