Teen Sexual Health Rights

Teen Sexual Health Rights in Minnesota

Your Rights in School

LGBT Rights in School

Birth Control

Most of you are bound have relationships during your high school years. If you are are not cautious or aware about your rights, you may be exposed to both legal or health consequences. This presentation will detail your rights, responsibilities and resources as a sexually active teen in the state of Minnesota.

You retain the right to be yourself in school. Public schools must address any harassment towards LGBT students. Also, your school cannot "out" to anyone without your express approval, even if you are out to other people at your school.

Your school may have differing policies against displaying affection, which is legal. However, the rules must be implemented equally to both boys and girls of either the same or opposite gendered couples.

In school, no one is required to report your sexual activity unless you've had sex or sexual contact with a family member or someone who is in a position of authority over you, such as coach or teacher.

There is no age restriction attached to purchasing contraceptives or a pregnancy test.

If you are under the age of 18, your physician should be able to write you a prescription. Before doing so, make sure you know their policies regarding:

• notifying parent/guardians
• billing for the visit and tests
• reporting your results
• putting information in your medical record

Pregnancy

If you're between 13 and 16, you can consent to having sex with someone within the same age range. However, you CANNOT legally consent to sex with someone more than 2 years older than you, even if it was consensual.

Testing

Consent & Age

Engaging in sex or sexual contact under the age of 13 could get you in trouble.

In general, parental permission is not needed for STD testing. Even though you have some rights to privacy, make sure to still ask about the clinics privacy policy.

It is recommended that you get regularly tested if you are sexually active, however you cannot be forced to undergo any testing if you do not wish to do so.

If you're between 16 and 18, you can legally consent to sex with anyone EXCEPT family members, someone who is both in a position of authority, and four years older than you.

An unplanned pregnancy can be very emotional and difficult to deal with. Here are lists of options available if you find yourself in this situation.

Once you turn 18, you may legally consent to sex with anyone, EXCEPT a family member. You can still be charged with a crime if you have sex with someone under 18.

Resources

Keep

Here are a few websites that contain additional information on adolescent sexual health and youth rights.

If you would like to keep the baby, you have the right to confidential prenatal care. Remember to check your doctors policies.

• http://teenwisemn.org/
• http://www.aclu-mn.org/issues/studentrights/
• http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-minnesota-north-dakota-south-dakota

Adoption

Teen Sexual Health Rights

If you want to have your baby adopted, and you are unmarried and under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must consent.

Abortion

While you don't need your parents permission, if you are under 18, Minnesota state laws requires that a parent or guardian be notified of your abortion. This requirement can be excused if you go to a court and get a "judicial bypass."

If you are pregnant or have child while in school

If your rights have been violated

You have the right to continue your education as usual, even after you have the child. It is illegal for schools to punish you in any way for being pregnant and should do their best to accommodate to your needs. You also retain the right to raise your child and make healthcare decisions for them.

If you feel like your rights are being violated or that you are being treated unfairly in school because you are pregnant or parenting, contact the ACLU-MN at the link below.

• http://www.aclu-mn.org/aboutus/contact/