# 42 CFR § 50.203: Sterilization of a mentally competent individual aged 21 or older

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.203

## Section

- **Citation:** 42 CFR § 50.203
- **Heading:** Sterilization of a mentally competent individual aged 21 or older
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 42—Public Health > CHAPTER I—PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES > SUBCHAPTER D—GRANTS > PART 50—POLICIES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY > Subpart B—Sterilization of Persons in Federally Assisted Family Planning Projects

## Text

Programs or projects to which this subpart applies shall perform or arrange for the performance of sterilization of an individual only if the following requirements have been met:
(a) The individual is at least 21 years old at the time consent is obtained.
(b) The individual is not a mentally incompetent individual.
(c) The individual has voluntarily given his or her informed consent in accordance with the procedures of § 50.204 of this subpart.
(d) At least 30 days but not more than 180 days have passed between the date of informed consent and the date of the sterilization, except in the case of premature delivery or emergency abdominal surgery. An individual may consent to be sterilized at the time of premature delivery or emergency abdominal surgery, if at least 72 hours have passed after he or she gave informed consent to sterilization. In the case of premature delivery, the informed consent must have been given at least 30 days before the expected date of delivery.

## Nearby sections

- [42 CFR § 50.201 § 50.201 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.201.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.202 § 50.202 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.202.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.203 § 50.203 Sterilization of a mentally competent individual aged 21 or older.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.203.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.204 § 50.204 Informed consent requirement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.204.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.205 § 50.205 Consent form requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.205.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.206 § 50.206 Sterilization of a mentally incompetent individual or of an institutionalized individual.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.206.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.207 § 50.207 Sterilization by hysterectomy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.207.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.208 § 50.208 Program or project requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.208.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.209 § 50.209 Use of Federal financial assistance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.209.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.210 § 50.210 Review of regulation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.210.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.301 § 50.301 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.301.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.302 § 50.302 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.302.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.303 § 50.303 General rule.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.303.md)
- [42 CFR § 50.304 § 50.304 Life of the mother would be endangered.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.304.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-42-50.203. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.