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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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