Texas has a lot of legal barriers when it comes to teens and reproductive rights. With a total abortion ban and parental consent requirement for prescription birth control, it might seem like young people don’t have any reproductive rights at all. But you do! Keep reading to find out what reproductive rights teens under 18 still have in Texas.
Title X
You can no longer receive prescriptive birth control (daily oral contraceptive pills, IUDs, implants, or shots) at Title X clinics without parental consent. However, you CAN access the following at Title X clinics (and any clinic that provides these services) without parental consent:
- Testing and treatment for STIs (this excludes the HPV vaccine; all vaccinations require parental consent)
- Pregnancy tests
- Emergency contraception
- Condoms
- Pregnancy options counseling without parental consent
Ultrasounds and Medicaid
You have the right to obtain an ultrasound at any clinic that provides that service without parental consent (typically, Title X clinics do not offer ultrasound services).
If you’re under 18 and have Medicaid, you can obtain birth control at Medicaid clinics without parental consent but the parent/guardian will still be notified by Medicaid.
Minors in Texas can still…
- Buy condoms & emergency contraception online or at a drugstore or pharmacy in Texas without an ID.
- Consent to PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) but not PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) without parental consent.
- Decide what to do if they are pregnant, such as continuing their pregnancy, choosing adoption, or having an abortion.
- Travel out of state for abortion services.
If you have any questions, you can text us at 866-999-5263 Monday through Friday between 8 am and 11 pm CT. If you are under 18, in Texas, and would like to exercise your right to travel out of state for abortion care and need support, call us at 866-999-5263 24/7. If you’re under 18, in Lubbock, Bryan/College Station, or San Angelo and want us to deliver free plan b right to you, text the text line.
