Minors living in foster care maintain all the same consent and confidentiality rights that non-dependent minors are afforded. In addition, California state law extends additional rights to youth living in foster care to reduce barriers and improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care.
Rights and protections for youth in foster care include:
Right to access SRH care on the minor’s consent (consistent with California law)
Right to privacy in examination by a health provider, unless the youth specifically request otherwise
Right to choose their own provider of SRH care, if the provider accepts MediCal or other approved insurance
Right to confidentiality as relates to sexual and reproductive health information
Right to age-appropriate, medically accurate education/information about sexual and reproductive health
Right to transportation (by caregiver, group home or social worker) to obtain SRH care in a timely manner