Which of the following individuals may authorize release of information?

The individual who may authorize the release of information among the choices provided is the married 15-year-old father. In many jurisdictions, minors can have the legal ability to consent to their own medical treatment and, by extension, the release of medical information if they meet certain criteria. When a minor is married, they are often granted the same rights as an adult, which includes the ability to make healthcare decisions and authorize the release of medical records.

The case of the 86-year-old patient with advanced dementia raises concerns about the individual’s capacity to make informed decisions. Generally, if a patient is deemed incompetent due to cognitive impairment, a legal guardian or representative would need to make decisions on their behalf. For the 15-year-old minor, the ability to authorize the release of information typically does not exist; minors generally cannot consent without parental or guardian approval unless they meet exceptions based on specific circumstances, such as married status. Additionally, the parents of an 18-year-old student do not have the authority to access the student’s health information without the student's consent, as adults have the legal right to privacy regarding their medical records. Thus, the married 15-year-old father is the only one among the choices who can independently authorize the release of information.