Who can authorize a minor patient’s record request?

In the context of healthcare and particularly with respect to the handling of patient records for minors, the correct choice revolves around legal guardianship. A minor, typically defined as an individual under the age of 18, is legally considered unable to make decisions about their healthcare and related matters in the same way an adult can. This means that they do not have the legal capacity to authorize access to their own medical records.

In California, the law stipulates that a parent or legal guardian holds the authority to request and authorize access to a minor's medical records. This is based on the principle that the parent or guardian is responsible for making healthcare decisions on behalf of the minor. Therefore, when it comes to accessing a minor patient’s records, it is the parent or guardian who is recognized by law as having the right to make such requests.

The other options do have specific contexts in which they might be relevant. For example, while certain circumstances allow minors to consent to their own healthcare or disclose information independently (such as reproductive health services), this does not extend to the general management of accessing their records. Boards may oversee regulations but do not act as authorization entities for individual record requests. Similarly, while any adult might have a role in a minor’s care, they