Birth Control Laws in Texas (2026): Access Rules Changed

Most people think birth control is simple to get. Just walk into a pharmacy, right? Not exactly. Texas has some of the strictest birth control rules in America, especially for teens. The laws have changed a lot in the past few years. Let me break down what you actually need to know.

Here’s the deal. Adults can still get birth control pretty easily. But if you’re under 18? That’s where things get complicated. And trust me, this matters.

What Is Birth Control?

Birth control refers to medications or devices that prevent pregnancy. This includes pills, patches, shots, IUDs, implants, and more. Some people also use birth control to manage heavy periods or hormonal acne. Pretty straightforward.

But Texas law treats different types of birth control differently. The rules change based on your age and where you get it.

Basic Birth Control Access for Adults

If you’re 18 or older, you have options.

Most health insurance plans must cover birth control at no cost. This includes FDA-approved pills, IUDs, implants, shots, and barrier methods. You won’t pay a copay or deductible if you use an in-network doctor. The Affordable Care Act requires this coverage.

You can also buy birth control over the counter now. Yep, that’s new. A pill called Opill became available in 2024. You can buy it at CVS, Walgreens, Amazon, and H-E-B. No prescription needed. It costs about $20 per month. Anyone of any age can purchase it.

Plan B emergency contraception is also available over the counter. No age restrictions. You can grab it at most drugstores. Costs between $17 and $50, depending on the brand.

Okay, pause. This is important.

Minors and Birth Control: The Big Changes

This is where Texas stands out. And not in a good way.

Texas requires parental consent for minors to get most prescription birth control. If you’re under 18, you generally need your parent or guardian to say yes before a doctor will prescribe birth control pills, IUDs, implants, or shots.

For decades, there was one major exception. Title X clinics could provide birth control to teens without parental consent. These are federally-funded family planning clinics. They served low-income people regardless of age.

But that changed in 2024.

A federal court ruled that Texas’s parental consent law applies to Title X clinics too. This was a huge shift. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this decision in March 2024. Now, all 156 Title X clinics in Texas require parental consent for anyone under 18 seeking prescription birth control.

Pretty much every other state still allows teens to get birth control at Title X clinics without parental involvement. Texas is the only exception.

What Birth Control Can Minors Still Get Without Parents?

Not all birth control requires parental permission.

Here’s what teens can access on their own:

Minors can buy emergency contraception like Plan B over the counter. No parent needed. Just walk into any pharmacy. Same goes for Opill, the over-the-counter birth control pill. Anyone can purchase these at any age.

Condoms are also available without restrictions. You can buy them at stores or get them free at many health centers.

If you need testing or treatment for STIs, you don’t need parental consent either. Texas allows minors to get diagnosed and treated for sexually transmitted infections on their own. This includes HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

Pregnancy tests are also confidential for minors.

State Programs for Birth Control

Texas runs two main programs that provide free or low-cost birth control. But both have different rules.

Healthy Texas Women offers free contraception to women ages 15 to 44. You must be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant. Your income has to be pretty low. Single people can earn only up to $2,313 per month to qualify.

Here’s the catch. If you’re under 18, you need parental consent. Your parent or guardian has to apply for you.

Family Planning Program works similarly. It serves men and women ages 64 and younger. You can earn up to 250% of the federal poverty level. For a single person, that’s about $33,975 per year in 2025. Services are free or low-cost based on income.

Again, minors need parental involvement.

The Title X Changes: What Happened

Let me give you the backstory. It matters.

Title X has existed since 1970. President Nixon started it. The program was designed to give everyone access to family planning services. Age didn’t matter. Income didn’t matter. Immigration status didn’t matter.

In 2022, a man named Alexander Deanda sued. He’s from Amarillo. He has three daughters. Deanda argued that Title X violated his rights as a parent. He didn’t want his daughters to get birth control without his knowledge.

Here’s the interesting part. His daughters never actually got birth control from a Title X clinic. He just wanted to make sure they couldn’t.

Federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled in Deanda’s favor in December 2022. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed in March 2024. Now Title X clinics in Texas must get parental consent before giving prescription birth control to minors.

Wondering if this applies to you? It does if you’re under 18 and seeking prescription contraception.

Exceptions to Parental Consent Rules

A few minors can consent to their own medical care, including birth control.

You don’t need parental consent if you’re:

Active duty in the military. Legally emancipated through the Texas Family Code. Age 16 or older, living apart from your parents, and financially independent.

You can also consent to your own care if you’re pregnant. Pregnant minors can get hospital, medical, or surgical treatment related to pregnancy without parental permission. This doesn’t include abortion, though.

If you’re an unmarried minor parent with custody of your child, you can make medical decisions for your baby. But you still can’t consent to your own medical treatment in most cases.

Sound complicated? Honestly, it is.

Emergency Contraception Rules

Plan B is legal in Texas. Let me say that again. Plan B is completely legal.

A lot of confusion exists about this. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, use of emergency contraception dropped 47% in Texas. Many people thought it became illegal. It didn’t.

Texas lawmakers tried to ban Plan B in 2023 with House Bill 2709. The bill died in committee. Governor Greg Abbott even said Plan B should remain available, especially for sexual assault victims.

Anyone can buy Plan B over the counter. No age restriction. No prescription needed. You can find it at most drugstores. Generic versions are available too, sometimes for under $10 on Amazon.

If you can’t afford it, Every Body Texas offers free “Repro Packs” but shipping takes about two weeks.

Ella is another emergency contraceptive. It works for up to five days after sex. Plan B only works for 72 hours. But Ella requires a prescription. Minors would need parental consent for that prescription.

The Abortion Pill Law (House Bill 7)

This one’s brand new. And it’s serious.

House Bill 7 took effect December 4, 2025. This law targets abortion medication specifically, not regular birth control. But it’s important to understand because there’s been confusion.

The law allows anyone to sue doctors, manufacturers, or distributors who mail abortion pills into Texas. We’re talking about mifepristone and misoprostol. These are the medications used for medical abortions.

Successful lawsuits can get at least $100,000 per violation.

Wait, it gets better. The law also lets people sue family members or friends who help someone get abortion pills.

But here’s what the law doesn’t do. It doesn’t ban birth control. Emergency contraception like Plan B is not affected. Regular birth control pills, IUDs, and other contraceptives are still legal.

The law specifically targets medications used to end an existing pregnancy. Plan B prevents pregnancy. It doesn’t end one. Big difference.

How to Get Birth Control in Texas

Let’s get practical. Here’s what you actually do.

For Adults:

Check if your health insurance covers birth control. Most plans do at no cost. Call your insurance company or check online. Make an appointment with your doctor. They can prescribe pills, IUDs, implants, or whatever works for you.

You can also buy Opill over the counter. No appointment needed. Just go to any major pharmacy. Or buy Plan B if you need emergency contraception.

For Minors:

Talk to your parents if possible. They’ll need to consent for most prescription methods. If you can’t involve your parents, you still have options.

Buy Opill or Plan B over the counter. Both are available without age restrictions. Get condoms at any store or free from health centers. Access STI testing and treatment without parental consent.

If you’re on Medicaid, you can get birth control without parental consent at clinics that accept Medicaid.

For Low-Income Individuals:

Apply for Healthy Texas Women if you’re 15-44 years old and meet income requirements. Try the Family Planning Program if you’re 64 or younger. Visit a Title X clinic for reduced-cost services. Find a clinic at the Title X Family Planning Clinic Locator online.

Where to Find Help and Resources

You’re not alone in figuring this out.

Jane’s Due Process helps young people understand their rights. Call or text their hotline at 866-999-5263. They’re available 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. CST. Your texts are anonymous.

Every Body Texas runs the Title X program in Texas. They have a website with information about birth control options and clinic locations.

Planned Parenthood offers services, though Texas tried to exclude them from state-funded programs. They still operate in Texas and can help.

Your doctor is always a good resource. If you’re 18 or older, your medical information is private.

Common Misconceptions

Let me clear up some confusion. This matters.

“Plan B is illegal in Texas.” Nope. Totally legal. Anyone can buy it.

“All birth control requires parental consent for minors.” Not true. Over-the-counter options like Opill and Plan B don’t. Condoms don’t.

“The new abortion pill law bans birth control.” It doesn’t. House Bill 7 targets abortion medication, not contraception.

“Title X clinics still provide confidential care to minors.” Not in Texas. They used to, but not anymore.

“You need to be 18 to buy Plan B.” Wrong. No age restriction exists.

Insurance and Cost Information

Money matters. Let’s talk about it.

Most private insurance plans must cover FDA-approved contraception at no out-of-pocket cost. This includes pills, IUDs, implants, shots, rings, and barrier methods. Even sterilization procedures are covered.

You won’t pay a copay or deductible if you use an in-network provider. This applies even if you haven’t met your deductible.

But here’s the thing. Over-the-counter methods like Opill and Plan B typically aren’t covered unless a doctor writes a prescription for them.

Medicaid in Texas covers family planning services. This includes birth control. If you’re on Medicaid, you can access these services at participating clinics.

Title X clinics use a sliding scale based on income. Services might be free if your income is below federal poverty guidelines. You don’t need insurance, a government ID, or to be a U.S. citizen.

Recent Legal Changes in 2025

Texas lawmakers passed new laws in 2025 that clarified abortion exceptions. These don’t directly affect birth control, but they’re worth knowing about.

Doctors can now intervene in life-threatening pregnancy situations earlier. They don’t have to wait until a patient is at imminent risk of death. This applies to ectopic pregnancies and when a patient’s water breaks too early.

These clarifications came after reports of doctors delaying emergency care due to confusion about the law.

The laws still don’t affect birth control access. But they show how much the legal landscape around reproductive health is changing in Texas.

What This Means for You

Bottom line? Access depends on your age.

Adults have good access to birth control in Texas. Insurance covers most methods. Over-the-counter options exist. You have choices.

Minors face more restrictions. You’ll generally need parental consent for prescription birth control. But you can still access emergency contraception, over-the-counter pills, and condoms without involving parents.

The laws have changed a lot recently. They might change again. Stay informed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can minors buy Plan B in Texas without parental permission?

Yes. Anyone of any age can purchase Plan B over the counter. No prescription or parental consent required.

Do all health insurance plans in Texas cover birth control?

Most plans must cover FDA-approved contraception at no cost under the Affordable Care Act. Check with your specific insurance company to confirm.

Can teenagers get birth control at Title X clinics without telling their parents?

Not anymore. As of 2024, Title X clinics in Texas require parental consent for minors seeking prescription birth control.

Is Opill available in Texas, and do you need a prescription?

Yes, Opill is available at major pharmacies in Texas. No prescription needed. Anyone can buy it regardless of age.

Does House Bill 7 ban birth control in Texas?

No. House Bill 7 targets abortion medication specifically. Regular birth control, including pills, IUDs, and emergency contraception, remains legal.

Final Thoughts

Texas birth control laws are complicated, especially for young people. The rules have changed significantly in the past few years. More changes might be coming.

If you’re an adult, you have solid access to birth control through insurance, doctors, and over-the-counter options. If you’re a minor, talk to your parents if you can. If you can’t, remember that emergency contraception and some other methods are still available to you without parental consent.

Stay informed. Know your rights. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Organizations like Jane’s Due Process exist specifically to help young people navigate these laws.

Your health matters. Your choices matter. Make sure you have accurate information to make the best decisions for yourself.

References

1. Texas Health and Human Services Commission – Family Planning Program Policy Manual – https://www.hhs.texas.gov/handbooks/family-planning-program-policy-manual
2. Texas Law Help – Birth Control and Your Rights in Texas (Updated August 6, 2025) – https://texaslawhelp.org/article/birth-control-and-your-rights-in-texas
3. The Texas Tribune – “How Texas teens lost the one program that allowed birth control without parental consent” (April 8, 2024) – https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/08/texas-title-x-contraception-teens/
4. The 19th News – “New law aims to stop doctors from sending abortion pills to Texas” (December 2025) – https://19thnews.org/2025/12/texas-abortion-law-abortion-pills-mail/
5. Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy – “Why Confidential Contraception Matters for Texas Teens” (February 25, 2025) – https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/why-confidential-contraception-matters-texas-teens