Opn. No.

ROBERT P. WHALEN, M.D. Commissioner, Department of Health

I write in response to your recent request for my opinion as to whether or not parents are financially responsible for hospital services rendered on behalf of their child who is over 18 but not yet 21 years of age.

As you are aware, the Legislature has recently lowered the age of majority from 21 years of age to 18 years. The amendment of several State statutes was necessary to affect this legislative purpose. The statutes all became effective on September 1, 1974. Among the statutes amended were section 101, subdivision 1 of the Social…