Nevada Governor Signs HIV Testing Bill Aimed at Pregnant Women, Infants
Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) on Wednesday signed into law a bill (SB 266) that would guarantee all pregnant women in the state have access to an HIV test as part of routine prenatal care, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports (Mullin, AP/Las Vegas Sun, 6/13). The bill, sponsored by Sen. Steven Horsford (D) and Rep. David Parks (D), states that doctors "shall ensure" pregnant women have access to HIV screening, but it allows the women to opt out of the test or other prenatal screenings. The bill requires that pregnant women be given a pamphlet with information about the test and their right to refuse it (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/30). According to the AP/Sun, the bill also would require HIV tests for infants in the state (AP/Las Vegas Sun, 6/13).
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