New Mexico Gov. Richardson Signs Bill Waiving Informed Consent for Prenatal HIV Testing
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) has signed into law a bill (SB 805) making prenatal HIV testing routine, the Associated Press reports (Associated Press, 4/8). The bill, sponsored by Sen. Steve Komadina (R), amends a state informed consent law and allows for a prenatal HIV test without the informed consent of the woman. Therefore, all pregnant women will be tested for HIV as part of regular prenatal screening unless a woman specifically opts out of the test (SB 805 text, 4/9). Women will be able to opt out of the bill by signing a written statement, the Associated Press reports. The law is scheduled to go into effect on June 20 (Associated Press, 4/8).
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