(a) A health care provider who has no actual knowledge of facts contrary to those stated in an authorization affidavit and who relies on a written instrument that is consistent with the requirements of this part and provides health care to an unemancipated minor shall not incur civil liability, criminal culpability, or professional disciplinary action for treating an unemancipated minor without legal consent if a reasonable health care provider would have relied on the written instrument under the same or similar circumstances. Nothing in this part requires a physician, dentist, mental health professional, or other health care provider to rely on a written instrument or to accept health care decisions from a person standing in loco parentis.
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 34-6-406

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • In loco parentis: means "in the place of a parent" and refers to the legal responsibility taken by a person or organization to assume some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent or legal guardian. See Tennessee Code 34-6-401
  • Minor: means any person who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age and who has not otherwise been emancipated. See Tennessee Code 34-1-101
  • Person: means any individual, nonhuman entity or governmental agency. See Tennessee Code 34-1-101
  • Physician: means a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine who is licensed to practice medicine in this state. See Tennessee Code 34-1-101
  • written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) An authorization affidavit does not confer dependency for health care coverage or insurance purposes.
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