Hookup tip from Markia, Hookup blog by Danika, TeenSource Blogger
Did you know that if you’re a minor and you want an STD test that you can just waltz right in to a clinic and ask for one without ever worrying about getting your parents permission or them even finding out? Believe it or not, that’s one of your rights as a teen in California—to confidential and affordable health care! Under these laws, it’s your legal right to:
- Birth control and Emergency Contraception
- STD testing and treatment for those 12 and older
- Pregnancy testing and prenatal care
- Abortion services
- Mental health services
And it’s up to YOU who you want to tell and who you want to know.
This extends to school hours, too! If you have an appointment for any of these services that you need to go to during school, your school is required to excuse your absence and they are NOT allowed to make you get permission from your parents or notify them of your absence.
It can be so helpful and important to know your rights, because if you don’t, you might end up missing out on a whole world of health services that you’d never know were fully accessible to you! And don’t forget it’s confidential too!