Michigan lawmakers can join 34 other states in allowing youth experiencing homelessness and living on their own to receive the health care they need.
SB 1124 has passed committee and is now moving on to a full vote of the Senate!
Over 3,500 Michigan Youth Need Medical Care
Take Action: Improve Access to Medical Care for Michigan’s Youth Experiencing Homelessness
The Unseen Reality in Michigan
Youth experiencing homelessness on their own — or “unaccompanied homeless youth” as defined by federal law — are those under 18 not in the physical care of a parent or guardian, who lack fixed, permanent housing.
There are over 3,500 youth experiencing homelessness on their own across Michigan, according to the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI). This official count likely underestimates the full scope of homelessness experienced by Michigan youth.
Why Increasing Access to Medical Care Matters
Under current Michigan law, youth experiencing homelessness who are on their own cannot consent to routine, medically necessary care, placing them at heightened risk of untreated illness, mental health crises, and long-term health complications.
Only 37% of Michigan youth experiencing homelessness reported seeing a doctor or nurse in the last 12 months, compared to 76% of their housed peers. The gap in dental care is equally stark: only 53% saw a dentist in the past year, compared to 81% of housed peers.1
Youth experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable to sexual exploitation, untreated mental health conditions, and physical victimization.
What the Legislation Would Do
SB 1124 would allow unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness to consent to their own medically necessary health care, not elective or cosmetic procedures. Importantly, this bill does not circumvent parental rights; it applies only to youth who do not have a parent or guardian present in their lives. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical professionals have long supported allowing minors to consent to their own medically necessary care in circumstances like these.2
Take Action: Urge your legislators to support these policies
🔍 Use this tool to find out who your senator is.
Use our ☎️ phone script and 🧑💻 email template below!
📬 Share this page with colleagues, advocates, and community leaders.
🤝 Partner with SchoolHouse Connection to help every child and youth access opportunity. Contact us to get involved.
Use These Messages to Take Action
Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I am calling to ask Senator [Last Name] to help improve access to medically necessary care for youth experiencing homelessness across Michigan.
SB 1124 would allow unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness — those without a parent or guardian in their lives — to consent to their own medically necessary treatment. There are over 3,500 youth living on their own across Michigan, in both rural and urban areas, including many in our community.
Under current law, these youth cannot get that treatment, placing them at heightened risk of untreated illness, mental health crises, and long-term health complications. SB 1124 would simply allow these youth to get the care they need so that they don’t end up in the emergency room or go without care altogether.
I urge Senator [Last Name] to support SB 1124 to allow access to health care for all youth in Michigan.
Thank you for your time and leadership on behalf of Michigan’s youth.
Subject: Support Access to Medically Necessary Care for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Dear Senator [Last Name],
I am writing to urge you to support legislation to improve access to medically necessary care for youth experiencing homelessness who are on their own. Under current Michigan law, these youth under 18 are not able to consent to routine, medically necessary care, placing them at heightened risk of untreated illness, mental health crises, and long-term health complications.
SB 1124 would allow these youth to get that care. Only 37% of Michigan youth experiencing homelessness report having seen a doctor or nurse in the last 12 months compared to 76% of their housed peers.
34 other states allow minors on their own to consent to medically necessary health care. This bill is similarly focused — it applies only to youth without a parent or guardian in their lives, and covers only the care they need, not elective or cosmetic procedures.
I urge your support for SB 1124 to ensure every Michigan youth has access to the care they need to thrive.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title/Organization, if applicable]
[Your Contact Information]
Footnotes
[1] Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, “A Way Home: Why Supporting Youth Experiencing Homelessness is Critical in Michigan” (2022), pp.1,4, http://bit.ly/4dKuEbr.
[2] American Academy of Pediatrics, “Consent for Medical Services for Children and Adolescents,” Pediatrics, 92 (2), (1993): 290–291, https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.92.2.290.