Can a minor authorize the disclosure of their medical records without parental or guardian consent?

Minors generally do not have the legal authority to authorize the disclosure of their medical records without parental or guardian consent. This is rooted in the legal principle that minors are not considered to have the full capacity to make such decisions, which includes understanding the implications of sharing their health information. In many jurisdictions, parents or guardians are required to provide consent for the release of a minor’s health records, reflecting a commitment to ensuring that the minor's best interests are prioritized.

However, there are exceptions in certain situations, such as when a minor is seeking specific types of medical care (like reproductive health services) where they may be allowed to consent to their own treatment and the associated record disclosures. Nonetheless, the baseline understanding is that, in most cases, minors need parental or guardian consent to authorize the release of their medical information.