Parental Consent

These groups meet regularly. 50+ Professionals — Singles social group for professionals ages 50 and older. New members are currently being accepted. Group meets for social events such as happy hours, brunches, dinners, theater, concerts, book clubs and more. 410-813-4071. Chapelgate Presbyterian Church — Wednesdays, 6:45 p.m. Free classes for adults learning English as their second language. Free childcare is available for ages birth-12 years. 2600 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville.

Should physicians be required to obtain a parent's consent before treating a child for drug abuse, alcoholism or venereal disease or providing the youngster with prenatal care or sterilization?Yes, said several parents and members of groups that champion "traditional family values."They traveled to Annapolis yesterday to support a parental-rights bill that would require a parent's or guardian's consent for such treatment.Several physicians and counselors, however, also turned out to argue that some teen-agers would refuse to seek treatment if they had to tell their parents about it.The bill before the House of Delegates Environmental Matters Committee elicited a debate that carried both ethical and medical overtones.

The issue comes up perennially in the state legislature, and every year it has failed. This year likely will be no different. That did not stop the issue of young teens, abortion and parental involvement from stirring crosscurrents of emotions yesterday before a House committee in Annapolis. The proposed legislation -- narrower in scope this year than in previous years -- would eliminate the confidentiality afforded young teens who seek information on sexuality or treatment, including abortion.

Matthew Brzica and his wife hardly noticed when the hospital took a few drops of blood from each of their four newborn children for routine genetic testing. But then they discovered that the state had kept the dried blood samples ever since - and was making them available to scientists for medical research. n "They're just taking DNA from young kids right out of the womb and putting it into a warehouse," said Brzica, of Victoria, Minn. "DNA is what makes us who we are. It's just not right."

The swine flu vaccine will be distributed when it becomes available to every student in Howard County with parental consent, the county's health officer said last week. Dr. Peter L. Beilenson said the process probably would occur in early November and would take two weeks. Parents must give written permission for their children to receive the vaccine. "It's always going to be the parents' choice," said Patti Caplan, a spokeswoman for the county school system. "We have to have a signed form from the parent in order to get the vaccine."

NEW YORK -- Schools Chancellor Joseph A. Fernandez plans to propose tomorrow that condoms be distributed on request to students at all New York City high schools, even without parental consent.Mr. Fernandez said in a memorandum to the seven members of the city's Board of Education that he was making the proposal because New York City "was leading the nation in adolescent AIDS cases.""We cannot afford to ignore this crisis," he said of the incidence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Abortion once again is before the state Legislature. Proposals rangefrom Delegate Lawrence A. LaMotte's bill to affirm the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 legalization of abortion, to bills co-sponsored by Sen.Larry E. Haines that would restrict abortions except under extreme circumstances and prevent abortions on minors without parental consent.Should abortions be legal and readily available in Carroll? Should parents be notified if children plan an abortion? Should minors berequired to undergo counseling first?

School board to meet twice tomorrow in Ellicott City The Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting, starting at 4 p.m. tomorrow in the boardroom at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City. The afternoon session, and an evening session that is to start at 7:30 p.m., will begin with a public forum during which members of the public can address the board on any topic for which there is no formal hearing process. Sign-up in advance is preferred. Information: 410-313-7197 or 410-313-6682.

New state police pension program wins House approvalThe Maryland House of Delegates overwhelmingly approved a new state police pension program yesterday that would raise retirement pay.The Senate passed a similar overhaul last week, but reduced the benefits that were initially proposed. Legislators will iron out the differences between the two versions.Delegates pass bill setting minimum age for bridesThe House of Delegates, spurred by a case involving an Anne Arundel County man, 29, and his pregnant bride, 13, approved legislation yesterday that would forbid children younger than age 15 to marry in Maryland under any circumstances.