Abortion is still legal in Texas. But, access is limited.
As of September 1, 2021, the State of Texas has restricted access to abortion after 6 weeks gestation (aka the number of weeks from your last menstrual period). This law is NOT enforced by the State of Texas. Hypothetically, if a person were to get an abortion after 6 weeks in TX, they would not be criminalized because this law is not being enforced by the State of Texas. If you are a minor and past the week limit, you can still call our 24/7 hotline at 866-999-5263 to receive support in discussing your pregnancy options.
The public has the option to enforce this law by suing people and organizations for no less than $10,000 (with no upper limit) whom they suspect helped with getting an abortion after 6 weeks in Texas. People seeking an abortion cannot be sued.
Texas laws to consider when scheduling your appointment for an abortion:
- Texas requires an ultrasound prior to your procedure that must be done by the same doctor who will perform your abortion.
- Texas law also requires a 24 hour mandatory waiting period between your ultrasound and your abortion. If you live more than 100 miles from your nearest abortion clinic, there is an exception. People who qualify for an exception are only required to wait 2 hours after their ultrasound to get an abortion
If you are a teen who cannot get permission from a parent or legal guardian, you will need to apply for a judicial bypass. Call our hotline at 866-999-5263 for help!
Texas law also prohibits private and public insurance from covering abortion care.
In addition to this ban on insurance, Texas requires abortion providers to offer the option of viewing the ultrasound image. But, patients have the right to decline. Abortion providers are also required by state law to distribute materials (aka The Women’s Right to Know booklet) prepared by the state and receive state-directed counseling. The requirements to get an abortion in Texas are intentionally designed to confuse and discourage people. If you are feeling overwhelmed, text or call the Jane’s Due Process Hotline for help. You are not alone.
If you are under 18, it’s important to know that you do not need parental consent to get an ultrasound. However, if you cannot involve a parent or legal guardian in your decision to get an abortion, you will need to apply for a judicial bypass. You can begin this process by calling our 24/7 hotline at 866-999-5263.
First! Find your nearest abortion clinic:
The most important step in your decision to get an abortion is to locate your nearest abortion clinic.
Austin
San Antonio
Waco
Houston
McAllen
Dallas
Fort Worth
El Paso
If the distance to these clinics is not accessible to you, it can be helpful to schedule your abortion at a clinic in a state that might be closer.
New Mexico
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Abortion clinics in New Mexico do not have a limit on how far along a person can get an abortion. They also do not have parental involvement laws or mandatory waiting periods for pregnant people seeking an abortion. If you decide to go to Louisiana, Oklahoma, or Arkansas it can be helpful to research mandatory waiting periods and the requirements for a judicial bypass in those states.
If you are concerned about the costs associated with traveling and are a Texas resident, Fund Texas Choice may be able to help with funding for travel-related needs. This could mean a plane or bus ticket, assistance with gas, or a hotel stay.
Fund Texas Choice has a limited amount of funding per week, and are only open for funding on Thursday at 8am CT. If you need support, fill out this secure form as soon as they are open to have the best chance of receiving assistance! You can also reach them by calling 844-900-8908.
If you live in Houston (or are traveling to Houston) and need support with transportation or lodging, call Clinic Access Support Network. If you live in Austin and need support with transportation or lodging, call The Bridge Collective. If you live in the Rio Grande Valley and need support with transportation or lodging in the RGV or help leaving the state for an abortion, call Frontera Fund.
Next, schedule your appointment:
Every clinic has its own unique policies and procedures. However, there are common questions that you can expect to be asked at every abortion clinic. Knowing the answer to these questions in advance can help you feel more prepared during your call to the clinic.
When you call, you can expect to be asked some general information about yourself (e.g. name, date of birth, a safe contact number). They will also want to know how many weeks you are into your pregnancy. If you do not know the answer to this question, you can calculate how many weeks you are by counting the number of weeks that have passed since your last menstrual cycle (LMP). This pregnancy calculator can help you determine how far along you are.
While every clinic is different, they may also ask what type of abortion you’re wanting. If you don’t know, you can read about the differences between medication and surgical abortion. You can also text our hotline at 866-999-5263! Once the clinic gets this information, they will schedule your first appointment for an ultrasound.
Concerned about costs? Here’s how to pay for your abortion:
If you are a minor who is going through the judicial bypass process with our organization, our client services manager will help you apply for grants to cover the complete cost of your abortion and ultrasound. However, if you are not a minor and need financial assistance, the National Network of Abortion Funds can connect you to your nearest local abortion fund and/or practical support fund.
It’s important to know that the state of Texas does not allow private insurance to cover the cost of elective abortion. Also, the Hyde Amendment does not allow public insurance (i.e. Medicaid, Tricare) to cover the cost of an abortion either! However, some insurance providers may cover the cost of an ultrasound.
Here’s what to bring to the abortion clinic on the day of your appointment:
If you have parental consent for your abortion as required by Texas law, the clinic will want you to have both a photo ID and an original copy of your birth certificate. They will also require that your parent who is providing consent bring a government-issued ID to provide proof of their identity and to confirm that they are the person listed on your birth certificate. If you’re pursuing a judicial bypass, the ID requirements can vary, but the clinic will still require proof of your identity and birthday.
The ultrasound appointment can take 2-4 hours, so it can be helpful to also bring a few things to occupy your time while you wait. Some people bring a friend, a phone charger, books, magazines, coloring books, or stream their favorite tv shows on their devices with headphones. You will be expected to stay in the vicinity of the clinic the entire time during your appointment, so having a few things to keep you busy can help!
If you have concerns about your sexual and reproductive health, our volunteer advocates are available 24/7 at 866-999-5263 and by text 8am-11pm CT to support you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help accessing contraception, STI testing & treatment, or an abortion in Texas.
