During the 2003 session, the Texas Legislature passed the Woman's Right to Know Act (House Bill 15). The woman has the right to look at printed information. If she
chooses to see the material the law describes, the doctor (or the
doctor's agent) shall give her a copy at least 24 hours before the
abortion is scheduled.
Download and or print the Booklet or Resource Directory
The doctor (or agent) may instead mail her the
materials, with delivery restricted to her, at least 72 hours before
the abortion is scheduled. The doctor (or agent) is not required to give her the material if
she signs a statement that she chooses to look at the material on a Women's Right To Know at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wrtk/default.shtm site.
Texas law says your doctor must talk to you about certain things before you
can have an abortion. Texas law requires a doctor to notify a parent of a
patient who is less than 18 years of age (a minor) before the minor can
have an abortion unless the court grants a waiver. Ask the doctor or clinic
for the parental notification booklet, So You’re Pregnant, Now What?,
if you are a minor.
After you get this information, your doctor must wait 24 hours before your
abortion can be performed. You and your doctor should talk carefully and
privately. Some of the things your doctor must talk about with you include:
How long you’ve been pregnant.
The medical risks of having an abortion.
The medical risks of continuing your pregnancy.
Another booklet has been prepared for you, called A Woman’s Right to Know
Resource Directory. Your doctor should give you a copy of it. It lists programs
and services that can help you through pregnancy, childbirth and the child’s
dependency. It will give you the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of
these programs. The directory also has information about public and private
adoption agencies.
Many public and private agencies and community resources (family, friends,
faith-based organizations) are available to provide counseling and information.
You are strongly urged to seek their assistance to obtain guidance during your
pregnancy. In addition, you are encouraged to seek information, (see Resources link above), on abortion
services; alternatives to abortion, including adoption; and resources available
to postpartum mothers and women who have had an abortion.
Medical and Social Assistance
You must get some information from your doctor or the doctor’s assistant
before the abortion can be done. Here are the things you must be told:
You may be able to get medical-assistance benefits to help with prenatal
care, childbirth, and neonatal care.
The man who got you pregnant must help support your child if you
decide to stay pregnant and keep the baby. The law says he must help
even if he offered to pay for an abortion.
Public and private agencies can help you.
You should know that, if you choose to have your baby and find yourself
weighed down by the job of being a parent, Texas has the “Baby Moses / Safe
Haven” law. The law allows you or the baby’s father to leave a baby under 60
days old in a safe place and not return for the baby without fear of being
charged with a crime, if the baby is not hurt. Safe places are hospitals, fire
stations, emergency clinics or licensed child-placing agencies.
Talk to someone if you feel weighed down about being a parent. There is help
available.
Ask your doctor for a copy of the A Woman’s Right to Know resource directory.
Child-Support Services
Assistance in Obtaining Child Support
The Texas Office of the Attorney General can assist you in getting child support
for your baby. The Child Support Office can help locate a non-custodial parent,
determine the father of the child (paternity), establish and enforce child support
orders, review and adjust child support payments, and collect
child-support payments. If you need services, call Texas (800) 252-8014.
Department of State Health Services
Women's Right to Know
1100 W. 49th
Austin, TX 78756-3199
