44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH; ALLOWING LICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS TO PROVIDE PRENATAL, DELIVERY AND POSTNATAL CARE TO A MINOR; PROVIDING A MINOR WITH THE CAPACITY TO CONSENT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. PREGNANCY--PRENATAL, DELIVERY AND POSTNATAL TREATMENT TO A FEMALE MINOR--CAPACITY TO CONSENT.--

A. A health care provider shall have the authority, within the limits of his license, to provide prenatal, delivery and postnatal care to a female minor. A female minor shall have the capacity to consent to prenatal, delivery and postnatal care by a licensed health care provider.

B. A health care provider who provides lawful prenatal, delivery and postnatal care to a female minor, within the limits of his license, shall be liable for treatment that is provided in a negligent manner, in which case the health care provider shall be liable for damages proximately caused by the negligent treatment.