Steve, age 13, is receiving counseling without parental consent for issues related to physical abuse and alcohol use. Who can sign an authorization to release his treatment records?

• A. The minor
• B. The parent
• C. The therapist
• D. A court-appointed guardian

Answer: (A)

When a minor is treated with the minor’s own consent, they retain the ability to control who sees their treatment information. Because Steve is receiving counseling without parental consent, he is considered able to authorize disclosures of his records. The authorization to release records is a patient-rights matter, and the minor signs to specify who may receive the information and what is being disclosed.

A parent typically does not have automatic authority to sign for the minor’s records in this context unless the law provides otherwise or a court has appointed a guardian. The therapist cannot sign on the minor’s behalf, and a court-appointed guardian would only be involved if there’s an active guardianship or court order.