title: Persons under 21 may not consent to voluntary sterilization.
abstract: In 1971 the Code of Virginia (paragraph 32-137) was amended to permit persons under 21 to consent to medical or health services "required in case of birth control, pregnancy and family planning."  Since then there has been some question as to  whether such persons would consent to voluntary sterilization (see Family Planning/Population Reporter 1: 5, 1972).  In its 1973 session the legislature voted to exclude voluntary sterilization from the medical services to which persons under 21 may consent.  They must have parental or guardian consent.  This recent amendment (H76) was sponsored by Delegate Wyatt Durrette.  On February 24 it passed the Senate by a 70-4 vote and the House by a margin of 30-0.  It was signed into law in March by Governor Linwood Holton.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000569:Americas; D003710:Demography; D019049:Developed Countries; D005193:Family Planning Services; D009656:North America; D011153:Population; D011154:Population Characteristics; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive; D014481:United States; D014768:Virginia
keywords: Adolescents; Age Factors; Americas; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Family Planning; Female Sterilization--legal aspects; Male Sterilization--legal aspects; North America; Northern America; Population; Population Characteristics; Sterilization, Sexual; United States; Virginia; Youth