A bill could limit mental health services for teenagers in Ohio
By: Natalie LaFleur
Posted on:
Monday, June 22, 2026
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Minors aged 14-17 could have trouble accessing quick mental health services under a bill moving through the Ohio Legislature.
Current law allows minors aged 14-17 to receive mental health services without parental permission for six sessions or 30 days, whichever is reached first. After the period is over, parental consent is required for treatment to continue.
House Bill 172 would require these teenagers to obtain parental permission before receiving services.
The Ohio Statehouse viewed from State Street in Columbus. [Karen Kasler | Statehouse News Bureau]In Southeast Ohio, mental health issues are significantly worse than in other areas of the state. For example, Meigs and Pike counties report 23% of the population experiences 14 or more days of poor mental health per month, the highest in the state, according to the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps of Ohio.
Because of this, organizations throughout Southeast Ohio have been focusing on increasing access to mental health services, not limiting them.
“We’ve been so focused on increasing access that I don’t think we expected this to become an issue,” said Diane Pfaff, executive director of the Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.
HB 172 would slow the process of quick and accessible mental health services for children, Pfaff said.
“We’re advocates for people having good mental health awareness and access to services as soon as they can,” Pfaff said. “Issues like anxiety and depression are very treatable. The earlier you catch things – especially with young people, who are very resilient – the better.”
Prompt accessibility for teenagers was not the only concern voiced by opponents of the bill. Eyes Up Appalachia, a foundation for Appalachian counties of Ohio aiming to prevent human trafficking, voiced another concern in testimony before a House committee.
“Rather than find safe adults that can help them, HB172 would cut off one of the few lifelines currently available for children trapped in the unfathomable cycle of familial abuse and trafficking,” Founder Christi Scott Bartman said.
Over 40 other parties or organizations spoke on their opposition to the bill.
The last hearing for the bill was Nov. 19 in the Health Committee of the House. Another hearing has yet to be scheduled.