Important case involving Connecticut DCF medical decisions. DCF cannot authorize vaccinations for children in their custody. That’s the recent decision from the Connecticut Supreme Court. Read more about it below:
Conn. Supreme Court: DCF Can’t Mandate Vaccinations Over Parental Rights | Connecticut Law Tribune
The Court’s ruling seems to be rather narrow. Essentially, vaccinations are not medical treatment because they are taken to cure an injury or disease. Therefore, parental consent is required.
Its clear that for medical emergencies DCF has authority to act without parental permission. But where is the line drawn between DCF acting unilaterally and being required to get the parent’s consent?
So – the question remains is this decision limited to vaccinations?
Or is DCF limited in other aspects of medical decision authority over children in it’s custody?
I expect some DCF based legislation to be promoted to clarify this murky issue.
For now, chalk one up for the parents.