Minors - treatment - consent

(1) (a) A health-care provider or facility, if consulted by a patient who is a minor, shall perform, at the minor's request, a diagnostic examination for a sexually transmitted infection. The health-care provider or facility shall treat the minor for a sexually transmitted infection, if necessary; discuss, administer, dispense, or prescribe preventive measures or medications, where applicable; and include appropriate therapies and prescriptions. (b) If a minor requests a diagnostic examination, care, prevention services, or treatment for a sexually transmitted infection, the health-care provider who provides such services is not civilly or criminally liable for performing the service, but the immunity from liability does not apply to any negligent act or omission by the health-care provider. (2) The consent of a parent or legal guardian is not a prerequisite for a minor to receive a consultation, an examination, preventive care, or treatment for sexually transmitted infections. For the purposes of this section, health care provided to a minor is confidential, and information related to that care must not be divulged to any person other than the minor; except that the reporting required pursuant to the "Child Protection Act of 1987", part 3 of article 3 of title 19, still applies. If the minor is thirteen years of age or younger, the health-care provider may involve the minor's parent or legal guardian. A health-care provider shall counsel the minor on the importance of bringing the minor's parent or legal guardian into the minor's confidence regarding the consultation, exam, or treatment.