Texas is one of 38 states that require some form of parental involvement when a minor seeks an abortion. In the 5th episode of CHOICE/LESS, we hear from Tina Hester,  the executive director of Jane’s Due Process. She helps Texas minors who, for whatever reason, can’t involve a parent in their abortion decisions.

Specifically, Tina assists pregnant minors in obtaining a “judicial bypass,” a process through which a minor seeks a court order granting her an abortion and exempting her from any parental involvement or notification requirements. But in some states, lawmakers have added additional restrictions and rules on minors seeking judicial bypasses. In 2014, Alabama lawmakers radically amended their judicial bypass process to allow the court to appoint a guardian for a minor’s fetus, and to allow the district attorney, and sometimes even the minor’s parents, to cross-examine the minor and to oppose her request for an abortion.

Tina talks about how she got into the work she does, and tells the story of one case that made a particular impact on her.

I probably have spoken to more young women who want to terminate a pregnancy and can’t involve a parent than anybody else in Texas right now. But there’s one story in particular that really broke my heart. It was a young woman who lived about an hour outside of Austin.

She was 17.

Listen to the full episode for more of Tina’s story, and subscribe to CHOICE/LESS on iTunes.

Episode 5 Transcript