On April 4, Karena Phan of the Associated Press wrote an article attempting to debunk “social media distortion” of Assembly Bill 665, which was introduced as, “Minors: consent to mental health services.” This bill, authored by Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo and state Sen. Scott Wiener, is making its way through the California Legislature.
Phan contends that hysterics on social media claim the bill “would allow school mental health professionals to remove minors [12 and older] from the custody of their parents or guardians who don’t consent to the child receiving gender-affirming surgeries,” and says this claim is false. However, Phan seems to have completely missed the horrifying loophole created by AB665, which would make it possible for children to leave their current family — with essentially zero notice to their parents, and zero allegations of abuse, neglect, incest, harm, or danger, as is currently required by California law.
First, Phan suggests — as do the bill’s authors — that AB665 does not change existing law and is simply aligning one existing law (Family Code section 6924) with another existing law (Health and Safety Code section 124260), as though they serve the same purpose. However, one need only place the two code sections side by side to recognize their significant differences.
The Family Code allows children 12 years old and older to receive mental health treatment and counseling and to opt themselves into a government “residential shelter” without notice to or consent from a parent or guardian if a “professional
