Patients Rights
If you are considering an abortion in Texas, this is a summary of your legal rights according to the
Woman’s Right to Know Act.

•  Abortions may only be performed by physicians licensed to practice medicine in Texas.
•  Abortion of a fetus 16 weeks or more is allowed only at a licensed ambulatory surgical center or hospital.
•  Abortion of a fetus in the third trimester (over 26 weeks) is prohibited except:
o  in cases where the fetus is removed to increase his/her chance for survival,
o  to remove a dead fetus, or
o  when deemed necessary to prevent the death or substantial risk of serious impairment of the woman.
•  Abortions must be on a voluntary basis. No one can be forced to have an abortion.
•  The woman having the abortion must be informed of:
o  the name of the physician performing the abortion,
o  the medical risks associated with abortion, including:
  risk of infection,
  risk of hemorrhage,
  potential danger to future pregnancies,
  potential danger of future infertility,
  possibility of increased risk of breast cancer,
o  natural protective effect of completed pregnancy in avoiding breast cancer,
o  the probable age of the fetus at time of abortion,
o  the medical risks of carrying the child to term,
o  medical benefits that may be available for prenatal, childbirth and neonatal care,
o  the father’s liability for support, whether or not he offered to pay for the abortion,
o  public and private agencies who provide pregnancy prevention counseling and medical assistance
o  public and private agencies who offer alternatives to abortion.
•  The woman having the abortion has the right to review printed information provided by the Texas Department of Health.
o  The physician must provide a printed copy at least 24 hours before the abortion is scheduled.
o  The physician can mail the material as long as it is received at least 72 hours before the abortion is scheduled.
o  The woman can choose to view the material on the Texas Department of State Health services website instead
   of receiving printed material
o  The woman must certify in writing, before the abortion, that the information was provided and she had at least
   24 hours to review it.
•  If the woman is a minor, a parent or guardian must be notified of the abortion, unless a judge waives notification.

You have the right to receive pre-abortion counseling where all your rights and risks can be explained in detail.

If you are in east Harris, Chambers or Liberty Counties, contact the
for free, confidential pre-abortion counseling, including ultrasound.
To access the Texas Department of State Health Services website to find out more about your legal rights on your own,
For a printable copy of the Woman's Right to Know booklet provided by Texas DSHS, describing pregnancy and its options,
For a geographical list of other TX agencies,
To learn more about your options, (especially abortion procedures and complications) see our Info Links section >>>
This information was obtained from the Texas Department of State Health Services website and Texas State Legislature documents regarding the Health and Safety Code, specifically:

This page was last updated: September 21, 2011
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