Permission
In California, anyone under 18 can get reproductive health services without their parents’ being told or giving permission. This includes birth control, STD tests and treatment, pregnancy tests, and abortions.
But Planned Parenthood strongly recommends you involve your parents or trusted adults when you make important health care decisions. That way, you can get the support you need—when you need it.
Your Privacy
We understand that information about your health and health care is personal. We’re committed to protecting this information. We’ll create a record of the care and services you receive from us. And we follow very strict rules about how we can use or share this information and about your rights to it. Those rules are called our Health Information and Privacy Practices.
No matter how old you are or which services you receive, you have all these privacy rights. All services at PPGG are 100% confidential. There are two exceptions: in an emergency or if you share that you are in a dangerous situation. Then we will act to help you, as required by law.
Your Rights
Minors (people under 18) in California have legal rights to care and services involving their reproductive health. This means the law says young people have the power to make decisions about the parts of their bodies that allow them to reproduce, or make babies. Laws differ across the United States, depending on that state you live in.
Birth control: In 25 states (including California) and the District of Columbia, minors have the right to get birth control services.
Prenatal care and delivery: In 27 states (including California) and the District of Columbia, a pregnant minor can get prenatal care and delivery services without her parents’ permission.
STD/HIV testing and treatment: In all 50 states (including California) and the District of Columbia, minors can get testing and treatment for STDs, including HIV. Three states limit HIV management to testing only.
Abortion: Only 2 states (including California) have laws that actually support a minor's right to get an abortion without a parent’s permission. 42 states have laws that say a minor must tell her parents or get their permission before she can get an abortion. 32 of these laws are in full effect and being enforced.
If you live outside California and don’t know about minors’ reproductive health rights in your state, you can find out at the NARAL website.
Find Out More
- Planned Parenthood Federation of America
- Alan Guttmacher Institute
- “Your Health, Your Rights” booklet for teens: ACLU of Northern California
