New law guarantees presence of both parents in consultations of minors in Paraná

A new law in Paraná now ensures that underage patients can be accompanied by both parents or guardians during consultations and medical care. The measure applies to hospitals and health units of public and private networks throughout the state.

Law No. 23,443 seeks to increase the family's participation in the health care of children and adolescents and to avoid situations in which only one of the caregivers is authorized to stay with the patient during a consultation.

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Under the new rules, health facilities must offer conditions for both parents or guardians to remain during medical care.

When can the presence be prevented?

The legislation provides for an exception. In case the presence of companions may pose a risk to the life of the patient, the stay may be restricted.

In this case, however, it is not enough to simply verbally inform that one of the accompanying persons will not be able to enter. The physician responsible for the care must present a written justification to the parents or guardians, explaining the reason for the restriction.

The forecast was already included in the project approved by the Legislative Assembly of Paraná (Aleppo), which established the exception precisely for situations in which the safety of the patient could be compromised.

Right applies to public and private networks

Another important point is that the rule is not restricted to the Unified Health System (SUS). Hospitals, clinics and other private units are also reached by legislation.

The proposal that gave rise to the measure, Bill 615/2024, is authored by the state deputy Cloara Pinheiro (PSD). According to the justification presented in the Legislative Assembly, the presence of parents during the care can increase the child's sense of security and contribute to the professionals having more information in the evaluation of the patient.

The text also considers changes in the participation of parents in the daily care of children, reinforcing the concept of active parenting and the division of responsibilities related to the health of children.

During the process, a period of 45 days was also included for health facilities to implement the measure. In practice, the new legislation extends an important right for families in Paraná and establishes a clear rule: unless there is medical justification related to the safety of the patient, father and mother — or guardians — will be able to follow together the care of children and adolescents in Paraná.