For Youth

Your Rights as a Minor in Georgia

 

Note: Inclusion in on this page does not constitute endorsement by G-CAPP, nor is G-CAPP responsible for the content or materials posted on these sites.

 

Medical Rights

Any minor may consent to health services to prevent pregnancy without notifying a parent (unless they choose to do so), including:

 

Contraceptive care and counseling

Georgia law provides that any female, regardless of age or marital status, may consent for any surgical or medical treatment or procedure in connection with pregnancy, the prevention of pregnancy, or childbirth. However, this law does not apply to abortion and sterilization procedures. It is very important to understand that this right to consent to medical care does not guarantee your confidentiality. It is left at the discretion of the provider or doctor. Confidentiality can only be guaranteed by law if these services are obtained at a Title X funded clinic or if the patient is receiving services through Medicaid.

 

Some examples of Title X funded clinics include public health departments, teen centers, and most Planned Parenthoods. To find a Title X funded facility in your area click here. To find a teen center in your area click here.

 

Planned Parenthood also offers confidential contraceptive services.

 

Also, to locate service providers in the metro area, search the United Way 211 database or the VOX Teen Resource Guide.

 

Emergency contraception is birth control that prevents pregnancy after sex, which is why it is sometimes called "the morning after pill," "the day after pill," or "morning after contraception." You can use emergency contraception right away - or up to five days after sex - if you think your birth control failed, you didn't use contraception, or you were forced to have sex.

 

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved emergency contraception for over the counter sale to women and men aged 18 and older. Women 17 and younger still need a prescription and will need to see a health care provider who can provide or prescribe emergency birth control pills. For more information on where to obtain EC, click here.

 


Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, and Childbirth
Any minor may consent to all health care services related to pregnancy, including pregnancy tests, options counseling, and labor and delivery services, without notifying a parent (unless she chooses to do so). This does not apply to abortion and sterilization procedures. It is very important to understand that this right to consent to medical care does not guarantee your confidentiality. It is left at the discretion of the provider or doctor. A minor parent may consent to all medical care for their child.
 

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Care
Any minor may consent to testing and treatment for an STD without a parent or guardian's consent. Health facilities are allowed to inform the spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian of a minor as to the treatment given or needed for a STD. Such information may be given or withheld even over the express refusal of the minor.
 

Abortion

Abortion may not be preformed on an unemancipated minor under age 18 without the voluntary written consent of the minor and 24 hour advance notice to a parent or guardian or person standing in loco parentis. (The term in loco parentis, Latin for "in the place of a parent", refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent).

 

The Women's Right to Know Act also requires that all women who seek abortions be fully informed about relevant issues 24 hours in advance such as: the medical risks of abortion, abortion methods and associated medical risks, the possible detrimental psychological effects, medical risks of carrying a pregnancy to term, probable gestational age of the fetus at the time the abortion is to be performed, father's responsibility, medical assistance benefits may be available to prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care.

 

The law includes a judicial bypass and an emergency exception.


 To learn about minor's rights to reproductive health services, click here to see our Minor's Rights Card.


 

Statutory Rape Laws:
 

  • Any sexual intercourse with any person under the age of 16 years is considered committed statutory rape, regardless of the age of the participants.
  • A person 21 years of age or older convicted of statutory rape shall be imprisoned for a minimum of ten and up to 20 years.
  • A person age 17-20 convicted of statutory rape shall be imprisoned for one to 20 years.
  • If the victim is 14 or 15 years of age and the person convicted is no more than four years older than the victim, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
  • It does not matter if the participants were male or female.
  • It does not matter if the participants were unaware of the victim's age.
  • It does not matter if the sex is consensual.

 

 Child Molestation Laws:

Child molestation is considered any "immoral or indecent" act to or in the presence of or with any child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the person. This carries a mandatory minimum 5 year sentence.

If the victim is at least 14 but less than 16 years of age and the person convicted of child molestation is 18 years of age or younger and is no more than four years older than the victim, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall not be subject to the 5 year mandatory sentence.

  • It does not matter if the participants were male or female.
  • It does not matter if the participants were unaware of the victim's age.
  • It does not matter if the sex is consensual.

 

There are several websites that offer more comprehensive information on your rights. Some we recommend include:

My 5th a website for teens to learn about their rights.

 

 

Need Help?

Here is a short list of resources for teens. Please note that inclusion in the list does not constitute endorsement by G-CAPP, nor is G-CAPP responsible for the content or materials posted on these sites.

 

Where to go for Contraceptive Services

 Confidential contraceptive services are available from any health care facility funded through Title X or for any patients using Medicaid to receive services. Some examples include public health departments, teen centers, and most Planned Parenthoods. To find a Title X funded facility in your area click here. To find a teen center in your area click here.

 

Planned Parenthood also offers confidential contraceptive services.

 

Also, to locate service providers in the metro area, search the United Way 211 database or the VOX Teen Resource Guide.

 

Websites

If you have questions about sex and pregnancy or if you think you might be pregnant and need health information...

 

If you have questions about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)…

If you have general questions about your health:

 

Hotlines

If you have questions about sex, protection, and contraception…

  • Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN
  • It’s Your Sex Life at 1-888-BE-SAFE-1

If you think you have an STD…

  • STD Info Line at 1-800-227-8922

For more information on Emergency Contraception…

  • Emergency Contraception Hotline at 1-888-668-2528

If you’ve been abused…

  • National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453

For info on a Planned Parenthood Clinic near you…

  • Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN

For general advice…

  • Teen Help at 1-800-840-5704