Prepared by
Rebecca Gudeman, J.D., M.P.A
October 2006

This publication was created by the National Center for Youth Law as part of its Teen Health Rights Initiative, which provides information and resources to California providers of adolescent reproductive health services.

Funding for this initiative is provided by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund.

National Center for Youth Law
405 14th St., 15th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
www.youthlaw.org
www.teenhealthrights.org

© National Center for Youth Law

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) is a national, non-profit organization that uses the law to improve the lives of poor children. NCYL works to ensure that low-income children have the resources, support, and opportunities they need for a healthy and productive future. Much of NCYL’s work is focused on poor children who are additionally challenged by abuse and neglect, disability, or other disadvantage.

NCYL focuses its work in four areas:

• Safety, Stability, and Well-Being of Abused and Neglected Children
• Access to Quality Health and Mental Health Care
• Financial Stability for Low-Income Families and Children
• Juvenile Justice

Disclaimer: This manual provides information. It does not constitute legal advice or representation. For legal advice, readers should consult their own counsel. This manual presents the state of the law as of October 2006. While we have attempted to assure the information included is accurate as of this date, laws do change, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the contents after publication.

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission.