Minors Access to Contraceptive Health Care

Laws and Procedures Vary by State

In the United States, each state has different laws and policies about whether or not minors — anyone under the age of 18 — may get contraceptive prescriptions and counseling from a health care professional. Twenty-one states explicitly allow all minors to consent to contraceptive services without parental permission.

Twenty-five states permit minors to consent to contraceptive services in one or more circumstances. The vast majority allow a married minor to recieve contraceptive services.
Three states allow minors to consent to contraceptive services if a physician determines that the minor would face a health hazard otherwise.
A few states allow a minor who is a parent or has ever been pregnant to consent to services.
Ten states allow a minor to consent if the minor meets other various requirements, including being a high school graduate, reaching a certain age, demonstrating maturity, or receiving a referral from a specified professional, such as a physician or member of the clergy.

Four states have no explicit policy on whether or not minors may consent to contraceptive services. Even when a state has no clear policy or law, physicians may decide to provide medical care to a mature minor without parental consent, particularly if the state allows a minor to consent to other related health services.






















































STATE CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING CONTRACEPTIVE SERVICES
Alabama Minors over 14 years, who have completed HS, who are married, or who have a child may get any health care services.
Alaska All minors with no restrictions.
Arizona All minors with no restrictions.
Arkansas All minors with no restrictions.
California All minors with no restrictions.
Colorado All minors with no restrictions.
Connecticut Minors who are married.
Delaware For minors who are 12 and over, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents.
District of Columbia All minors with no restrictions.
Florida Minors who require contraceptives for health reasons, who are married, have a child, are pregnant, or who have ever been pregnant.
Georgia All minors with no restrictions.
Hawaii For minors 14 and over, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents.
Idaho All minors with no restrictions.
Illinois Minors who require contraceptives for health reasons, who are married, have a child, are pregnant, who have ever been pregnant, or who have a refrral.
Indiana Minors who are married.
Iowa All minors with no restrictions.
Kansas Minors who are mature.
Kentucky All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents.
Louisiana Minors who are married.
Maine Minors who require contraceptives for health reasons, who are married, or have a child.
Maryland All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents.
Massachusetts All minors with no restrictions.
Michigan Minors who are married.
Minnesota All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents.
Mississippi Minors who are married, have a child, or who have a referral.
Missouri Minors who are married.
Montana All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents.
Nebraska Minors who are married.
Nevada Minors who are married. Minors who have a child or who are mature may get any health care services.
New Hampshire Minors who are mature.
New Jersey Minors who are are married, pregnant, or who have ever been pregnant may get any health care services.
New Mexico All minors with no restrictions.
New York All minors with no restrictions.
North Carolina All minors with no restrictions.
North Dakota No explicit policy.
Ohio No explicit policy.
Oklahoma Minors who are are married, pregnant, or who have ever been pregnant.
Oregon All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents.
Pennsylvania Minors who are are married, pregnant, have ever been pregnant, or graduated HS may get any health care services.
Rhode Island No explicit policy.
South Carolina Minors who are married, 16 or over, or who are mature.
South Dakota Minors who are married.
Tennessee All minors with no restrictions.
Texas Minors who are married. State funds may not be used.
Utah Minors who are married. State funds may not be used.
Vermont Minors who are married.
Virginia All minors with no restrictions.
Washington All minors with no restrictions.
West Virginia Minors who are married.
Wisconsin No explicit policy.
Wyoming All minors with no restrictions.

Source: "Minors Access to Contraceptive Services,"
State Policies in Brief, AGI, Dec 1, 2005. (pdf)

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