Texas law gives all parents the duty of providing medical and dental care to their children. This duty gives parents the explicit right to consent to medical and dental treatments on behalf of their children, as well as the right to access the child’s medical records. In general, if a minor requires medical attention, a Texas physician should obtain the consent of one of the child’s parents or the legal consenter.
For youth in foster care, the State operates as the managing conservator and will legally designate a medical consenter for the minor.
There are some exceptions when a minor can consent to their own medical care, including sexual and reproductive healthcare. These exceptions are explained in the section Knowing Your Rights.