[Download the "Your Health, Your Rights" section as a PDF]
If you're a teen in California, you have rights. And that's what this section is about - your right to privacy and reproductive health care. It has lots of information about different things that may come up in your life.
But first, the most important things you need to know are:
If you are under 18 you have the right to:
You do not need anyone's permission, including your parents or guardians, or your boyfriend or girlfriend.
It's your right to get these health services confidentially - the clinic or doctor cannot tell anyone why you were there - unless you say it's okay.
"Your Health, Your Rights" on Teensource is funded by the American Civil Liberties Union.
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[Download the "Your Health, Your Rights" section as a PDF]
No one's. You have the right to make your own decisions about using birth control and keep it private. Birth control is legal in California, for everyone, and no one has to know if you're using it. Also, no one can force you to use birth control if you don't want to. If you plan to have sex and don't want to get pregnant, you have choices.
There are many different kinds of birth control, from condoms, to the Pill, to the Shot. Talk to your doctor, go to a family planning clinic, or check out the web sites in the Where to Get Help section to learn more about your birth control choices.
Sometimes called morning-after pills or EC, emergency contraception can keep you from getting pregnant if your condom broke or if you didn't use any birth control during sex. Emergency contraception only works during the first five days after having unprotected sex - and the sooner you take it, the more likely it is to work. It prevents pregnancy and isn't a type of abortion. If you're having sex and don't want to get pregnant, use regular birth control - emergency contraception really is only for emergencies.
Pharmacies, clinics and doctor's offices. In California, you can get emergency contraception without having a prescription, but only at some pharmacies. Call 888-NOT-2-LATE or go to www.not-2-late.com to find out about pharmacies near you.
It's your right to get a confidential pregnancy test. This means you can have a test and get the results without anyone else finding out. But if you use your parent's or husband's health insurance to pay for the test, you may not be able to keep the information private - talk to your doctor or insurance company about their privacy policy.
You can stay pregnant and become a parent, place the baby for adoption, or end the pregnancy by having an abortion. The earlier you know that you're pregnant, the more choices you have so you should take a pregnancy test right away. If you want to have the baby, you can get prenatal care to stay healthy and have a healthy baby. Or if you want to have an abortion, it's easier early in the pregnancy.
Some clinics pretend to offer family planning services, but will not tell you about all of your options. They call themselves "Crisis Pregnancy Centers" or "Pregnancy Resource Centers" but sometimes they use other names. Some of them give misleading information to try to keep you from having an abortion.
The numbers and web sites listed in the Where to Get Help section will help you find a clinic that will tell the whole truth and give you all your options.
No. It's your right to stay pregnant and have the baby, even if you're under 18 or not married. No one can force you to have an abortion or place the baby for adoption. If you decide to give birth, you will need medical care while you're pregnant and after you have the baby. Some state programs will pay for the care you need if you can't afford it. There are also places that can help you if you're under 21 and can't live at home (see the Where to Get Help section).
It's your right to keep going to school while you're pregnant and after your baby is born. It's against the law for schools to treat you differently because you're pregnant or a parent. Some schools have special programs for teen parents. But you do not have to change schools or classes just because you're pregnant.
Most working women in California have the right to take maternity leave. It's also illegal for most companies to fire you or discriminate against you in other ways because you're pregnant.
Yes. If you decide to raise your child yourself, you have a right to some "child support" from the father, even if you're not married to each other. But the courts decide how much, and it can be hard to collect.
If you aren't ready to be a parent, but don't want to have an abortion, it's your right to place your baby for adoption. Adoption means giving up your legal rights as a parent, as well as your responsibilities.
Until all the final papers are signed, you still have the right to change your mind. After that, the adoption is permanent.
Sometimes. Call the adoption numbers in the Where to Get Help section to find out more.
Don't panic. The law lets new parents leave their baby at a hospital or other safe places like fire stations, up to three days after birth, without getting in trouble or having to give their names. Then they have two weeks (14 days) to change their minds. You can also choose to place the baby for adoption, even if he or she isn't a newborn anymore.
Abortion is legal in California, both for teens and adults. You have the right to get an abortion until a doctor decides that the fetus could live outside of your body - usually about six months after you become pregnant. After that, if the pregnancy puts your health or life at risk you can still get an abortion.
No. You do not need anyone's permission, and the law protects your privacy. No one else has the right to know or do anything about it - not your parents, your boyfriend or partner, or your husband. Even if you are married or under 18, the decision is up to you. But it is very important for you to have someone who can support you like a parent, counselor or friend.
You can get an abortion at many family planning clinics and some doctor's offices. The numbers in the Where to Get Help section will help you find them.
Even though abortions are legal, doctors and nurses do not have to offer them. For example, some hospitals and clinics that are owned by churches refuse to do abortions.
If someone at a clinic or doctor's office tells you that you cannot get an abortion, make sure they're telling you the truth. Get another opinion by calling one of the numbers listed in the Where to Get Help section.
It's your right to get confidential testing and treatment for STDs. This means you can get tested for sexually transmitted diseases or infections without getting permission from anyone if you are at least 12. You can also get treated and the clinic or doctor can't tell your parents or guardians. See the Where to Get Help section.
In California you have the right to free or low-cost medical care.
If you don't have insurance and can't pay on your own:
If you have health insurance:
"Your Health, Your Rights" on Teensource is funded by the American Civil Liberties Union.
[Download the "Your Health, Your Rights" section as a PDF]
ACCESS: 800-375-4636 (Spanish 888-442-2237)
The ACCESS hotline has counselors to help women and teens understand their options, and find free or low-cost services they need.
Emergency Contraception: 888-NOT-2-LATE or www.not-2-late.com
Call this free hotline for the names and phone numbers of places where you can get emergency contraception, or "the morning-after-pill."
Family PACT: 800-942-1054 or www.familypact.org
Family PACT can help you find a provider who can sign you up for this way of paying. You can also find medical providers on their website. Just type in your zip code and it will list all the health care providers in your area who take Family PACT.
Planned Parenthood: 800-230-PLAN or www.plannedparenthood.org
You can get affordable and confidential health care at Planned Parenthood health centers across the state. They offer a wide range of services for both teens and adults. Call to connect with the nearest center and make an appointment, or just ask a question. You can also find your local center by typing in your zip code.
To learn more about adoption in California -- how it works, what your options are, and where to get help - check out these two organizations:
These groups help protect your right to make your own decisions about pregnancy and birth control. Call them if you think your reproductive rights have been violated:
If you have questions about maternity leave or think you've been treated unfairly at school or at work, because you're pregnant, here are some places to get advice and legal help.
If you're not a U.S. citizen, you may be able to get help that will not cause your immigration status to be revealed to officials. For more information, contact your local immigrant's rights organization.
For honest, reliable information about sex and your health, some great places to start are:
You do have rights as a teen. There are laws that protect you. You can make your own decisions and you do not have to tell anyone about them. The organizations listed in this book are here to help you. If you have any other questions, get in touch with one of the groups and they will help you find the health care you need - it's your right.
"Your Health, Your Rights" on Teensource is funded by the American Civil Liberties Union.