HB 1759

Abstract

Amends the Perinatal HIV Prevention Act. Provides that every health care professional who provides health care services to a pregnant woman shall provide the woman with HIV counseling and perform (instead of recommend) HIV testing in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings, unless she has already received an HIV test during pregnancy or she refuses in writing to take the test. Provides that every health care professional who provides health care services to a pregnant women, prior to providing an HIV test, must provide the pregnant woman with oral or written information and inform the woman of her right to refuse the test, and, upon request, provide the woman with the necessary forms to register her refusal. Provides that every health care professional who provides health care services to a pregnant woman shall not perform HIV testing on that woman after she has refused the test in writing, unless she withdraws her refusal in writing. Provides that for women at continued risk of exposure to HIV infection in the judgment of the health care professional, a repeat test should be provided (instead of recommended) late in pregnancy or at the time of labor and delivery, unless the woman refuses to the test in writing. Provides that the provision of pre-test information or refusal of testing shall be documented in the woman's medical record. Provides that any testing, provision of pre-test information, and prenatal information must be in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. Makes other changes.