Connecticut Law About Rights of Minors

Research Guides

Connecticut Public Acts

Pathfinders prepared by the Connecticut Judicial Branch law librarians:

• Rights of Minors in Connecticut (PDF)

• Representing Minors in Connecticut (PDF)

• Torts of Minors in Connecticut (PDF)

Connecticut Network for Legal Aid:

• School Expulsions   

• Teenager's Guide to Emancipation

• Your Child's Rights in School

OLR Research Reports - Office of Legislative Research:

• Use of Handcuffs on Young Children  2025-R-0149

• Backgrounder: Connecticut's Juvenile Delinquency Process  2024-R-0202

• Minors Voting in Municipal Elections  2024-R-0080

• Pharmacists' Authority to Prescribe Contraception to Minors  2023-R-0174

• Children in Possession of Dangerous Weapons  2018-R-0339

• Backgrounder: Juvenile Delinquency Procedure 2017-R-0264

• Court Appointed Special Advocates 2017-R-0076

• Employing Foreign Minors 2001-R-0271

• Medical Treatment for Minors 95-R-0617

• Parental Control and Teenagers Rights 2002-R-0860

• Tanning Beds 2009-R-0307

• Variations from the Age of Majority in Connecticut 2003-R-007

• Youth in Crisis Law 2002-R-0786

Connecticut Links:

• Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance

• Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate

• Connecticut Voices for Children

• Kids Counsel: Center for Children's Advocacy, University of Connecticut School of Law

  • Child Support Information for Teen Mothers

  • Child Support Information for Teen Fathers

General Web Sites with Information on the Rights of Minors:

• ABA Center on Children and the Law 

• Child Welfare League of America

• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

• National Runaway Safeline

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)

• OJJDP Office of Justice Programs

• Sec. 1-1d . "Minor", "infant", "infancy", "age of majority", defined.

• Sec. 17a-688 . (Formerly Sec. 19a-126h)
  (d) Minors, consent to treatment and liability for costs.

• Sec. 19a-14c . Provision of outpatient mental health treatment to minors without parental consent.

• Sec. 19a-216 . (Formerly Sec. 19-89a). Examination and treatment of minor for venereal disease. Confidentiality. Liability for costs.

• Sec. 19a-285 . (Formerly Sec. 19-142a). Consent by minor to medical, dental, health or hospital services for child

• Sec.19a-582. General consent required for HIV-related testing. Counseling requirements. Exceptions.

• Sec. 19a-592 . Testing and treatment of minor for HIV or AIDS. Confidentiality. Liability for costs.

Chapter 368y - Abortion :

• Sec.19a-601. Information and counseling for minors required. Medical emergency exception.

Chapter 557 - Employment Regulations : See Sections 31-12-31-25.

• Sec. 36a-297 . (Formerly Sec. 36-111). Deposits or share accounts of minors.

• Sec. 38a-284 . (Formerly Sec. 38-157). Insurance contracts by minors.

Chapter 815j - Dissolution of Marriage, Legal Separation

• Sec. 46b-43. Capacity of minor to prosecute or defend. (Divorce)

• Sec. 46b-54 . Counsel for minor children. Duties.

• Sec. 46b-56. Access to records of minor child by noncustodial parent. Orders re therapy, counseling and drug or alcohol screening.

Chapter 815t - Juvenile Matters

• Sec. 46b-120 . (Formerly Sec. 51-301). Definitions..
• Sec. 46b-150 . Emancipation of minor. Procedure.
• Sec. 46b-150d . Effect of emancipation.
• Sec. 46b-150e . Emancipation under common law.

Chapter 925 - Statutory Rights of Actions and Defenses

• Sec. 52-572. Parental liability for torts of minors.

• Sec. 52-572c . Parent-child immunity abrogated in certain negligence actions.

• Superior Court - Procedure in Juvenile Matters, Chapters 26-35a

• Ashcroft v. American Civil Liberties Union, et al
  
• Ramos v. Town of Vernon , 353 F.3d 171 (2d Cir. 2003). Curfew Ordinance found unconstitutional.