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Parental Consent May Soon Be Required for Minor Mental Health Services in Ohio

Client Alert

HB 172 seeks to repeal ORC Section 5122.04, which permits mental health professionals to provide outpatient mental health services to minors ages fourteen (14) or older without parent/guardian knowledge or consent. Under current Ohio law, minors can consent to no more than six (6) sessions or thirty (30) days of mental health services, whichever occurs sooner. The repeal would require parental consent for minors ages fourteen (14) or older to receive outpatient mental health services.

HB 172 also seeks to remove language from ORC Section 3129.03 referencing ORC Section 5122.04 which, under the bill, would now mandate parent/guardian consent in all situations when a mental health professional is diagnosing or treating a gender-related condition without the existence of any statutory exception. Eliminating ORC Section 5122.04 would compromise the confidentiality of a minor’s protected health information by allowing their parents to access information related to utilization of mental health services. HB 172 had its first hearing in the House Health Committee on May 21, 2025.

Please contact BMD Healthcare Member Daphne Kackloudis at dlkackloudis@bmdllc.com or Attorney Jordan Burdick at jaburdick@bmdllc.com with any questions you may have regarding the potential impacts from this policy change.


Understanding the Seven Core Elements of an Effective Healthcare Compliance Program

The Affordable Care Act requires healthcare providers participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP to maintain an effective compliance program. Guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Inspector General outlines seven core elements that form the foundation of these programs, from written policies and compliance oversight to auditing, training, and corrective action. This alert highlights each element and explains how practices can tailor compliance programs to their size and risk profile while meeting federal expectations.

Preventing a Board Investigation

Healthcare professionals in Ohio are subject to licensing board investigations that can lead to disciplinary action. Staying compliant with regulations, documenting carefully, and operating within your professional scope can help prevent issues. If contacted by a board, working with an attorney is critical to protect your license and rights.

Ohio Board of Nursing Proposes Rule Changes for Nurses

On Monday, January 12, 2026, the Ohio Board of Nursing (“BON”) released a package of proposed changes to the Ohio Administrative Code. There are two proposed changes to continuing education requirements that Ohio nurses should be watching.

New Florida Law: Patient Overpayments Must Be Refunded Within 30 Days

Effective January 1, 2026, Florida Senate Bill 1808 requires health care facilities and practitioners to refund patient overpayments within 30 days after an overpayment is identified. The law applies to overpayments tied to claims submitted to government programs or private insurers and introduces fines and disciplinary consequences for noncompliance. Providers should review billing and payment practices now to prepare for the new requirements.

USCIS Policy Change Impacting Work Authorization: Advisory for Employers and Human Resources

USCIS has issued a policy memorandum pausing immigration benefit processing for individuals from 19 high-risk countries and requiring a re-review of certain previously approved cases. This change may affect work authorization, employment verification, and workforce stability. Employers and HR teams should review impacted employees and update compliance procedures.