Nearly one in three (30%) Texas high school students between 16 and 17 years of age are sexually active. However, unlike many other states, Texas does not permit unemancipated minors (i.e., those under 18 years old who are not legally separated from their guardian) to obtain comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare services on their own, including clinician-provided contraception. In most cases, minors must obtain parental consent to receive contraceptive services. If minors are able to consent for contraceptive care, their confidentiality is not guaranteed.
Texas Policy Evaluation Project
