Know Your Rights in Texas
The laws around pregnancy and abortion in Texas are confusing and ever-changing—but you still have rights. Here’s what you need to know.
Pregnancy in Texas.
Pregnancy in Texas.
You have the right to carry a pregnancy to term and access prenatal care, regardless of your age, immigration status, or insurance coverage.
You cannot be forced to stay pregnant. You have the right to explore all options, including parenting, adoption, or abortion.
Abortion in Texas.
Abortion in Texas.
Abortion is banned in nearly all cases in Texas, with extremely limited exceptions only when the pregnant person’s life is in danger. Even in these cases, doctors are often afraid to act due to unclear laws and the threat of prosecution.
There are no legal abortion clinics operating in Texas.
You can legally travel out of state to access abortion care, and you are not at risk of criminal charges for doing so.
You are NOT legally required to report a pregnancy, miscarriage, or abortion to anyone.
Self-Managed Abortion (SMA).
Self-Managed Abortion (SMA).
Self-managing an abortion (at home, using pills like mifepristone or misoprostol) is medically safe up to around 11 weeks.
You are not legally required to tell a doctor how you ended a pregnancy. Protect yourself by being careful about what you share and who you trust.
No one should be criminalized for their pregnancy outcome, but Texas has targeted people for miscarriage or self-managed abortion in the past. You can get legal support through these sites if needed (Repro Legal Helpline, Abortion Defense Network, Repro Legal Defense Fund, ACLU).
Your Privacy Rights.
Your Privacy Rights.
You do not have to share your search history, texts, or location data with anyone, including police or healthcare workers.
Use encrypted apps like Signal, or turn off location tracking when researching or accessing reproductive care.
What's Still Legal.
What's Still Legal.
Despite Texas’ laws, you CAN still legally:
Access free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds
Get condoms, Plan B, and Opill (birth control pill)
Travel out of state for abortion care
Receive nonjudgmental support and counseling
Learn about abortion and reproductive health
Get help from abortion funds and practical support orgs
Ask questions and talk to someone you trust