Your Teen's Healthcare Rights
Parents Say
"Our son was too embarassed to tell us that he had an STD. I'm glad the clinic was able to give him the care he needed even without our permission."
Jack, father of
17-year-old James
Getting the Healthcare Your Child Needs
Everyone agrees that it’s best if parents can help their kids get the care they need. If a child is under 18 and lives with a parent, the parent must agree to most kinds of medical care before it can be given to a child. In some families, however, that can’t always happen. So, there are laws in California and in other states designed to help young teens get certain kinds of health care they need.
There are some services that children can get without a parent’s help before they turn 18. Usually, the clinic cannot tell you if your son or daughter is getting those services.
This chart will tell you what services your kids can get by themselves in California. Check your own state’s laws and regulations.
Healthcare services that anyone of any age can get for themselves:
|
Service |
What the Doctor can and cannot do (by law) |
|---|---|
|
Pregnancy Care Birth Control Abortion |
Clinic workers cannot tell you anything about birth control, abortion, or pregnancy care they are giving your child, unless your child tells them they can. |
| Sexual Assault Services (referring to rape and crimes of a sexual nature) |
If your child is younger then 12 years old, the doctor must try to call you unless the doctor thinks it would be risky for your child. |
| Emergency Care |
You should be able to see the records, unless the doctor thinks it would be risky for your child. |
| X-rays to show child abuse or neglect |
A doctor can x-ray a patient without permission from the patient or the parents or guardians if the doctor thinks the patient has been abused or neglected. These records may be shared in court. |
Healthcare services that anyone 12 and over can get for themselves:
| Service |
What the doctor can and cannot do (by law) |
|---|---|
| Mental Health / Shelter Services |
The clinic must try to get your help with the care your child needs, unless they think it would harm your child. You cannot see the medical records unless your child says you can. |
| Drug and Alcohol Treatment |
Some clinics must try to call the parents; others cannot call the parents. |
|
HIV testing and care STD testing and care |
Clinics cannot tell you anything about HIV or STD tests or care they have given your son or daughter, unless your son or daughter tells them they can. |
For more information, visit www.teenhealthrights.org.
