§ 16-41-6-4 — Testing newborn infants; confidentiality; notice; information on treatment options; objecting; rules; application for funds under Ryan White CARE Amendments

Indiana § 16-41-6-4

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Title 16: HEALTH
• Art. 41: PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES FOR THE
• Ch. 6: Communicable Disease: Mandatory Testing of

Text

(a) Subject to subsection (f), if:
(1) the mother of a newborn infant has not had a test performed
under section 5 or 6 of this chapter;
(2) the mother of a newborn infant has refused a test for the
newborn infant to detect HIV or the antibody or antigen to HIV;
and
(3) a physician believes that testing the newborn infant is
medically necessary;
the physician overseeing the care of the newborn infant may order a
confidential test for the newborn infant in order to detect HIV or the
antibody or antigen to HIV. The test must be ordered at the earliest
feasible time not exceeding forty-eight (48) hours after the birth of the
infant.
(b) If the physician orders a test under subsection (a), the physician
must:
(1) notify the mother of the newborn infant of the test; and
(2) provide HIV information and counseling to the mother. The
information and counseling must include the following:
(A) The purpose of the test.
(B) The risks and benefits of the test.
(C) A description of the methods of HIV transmission.
(D) A discussion of risk reduction behavior modifications,
including methods to reduce the risk of perinatal HIV
transmission and HIV transmission through breast milk.
(E) Referral information to other HIV prevention, health care,
and psychosocial services.
(c) The confidentiality provisions of IC 16-41-2-3 apply to this
section.
(d) The results of the confidential test ordered under subsection (a)
must be released to the mother of the newborn infant.
(e) If a test ordered under subsection (a) is positive, the person who
provides the results of the test shall inform the mother of the newborn
infant of treatment options or referral options available to the newborn
infant.
(f) If a parent of the newborn infant objects in writing for reasons
pertaining to religious beliefs, the newborn infant is exempt from the
test under subsection (a).
(g) The state department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to carry
out this section.
(h) The results of a test performed under this section are
confidential.
(i) The state department shall apply for funds under Section 2625 of
the Ryan White CARE Amendments of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 300ff-21 et
seq.) to pay for all tests conducted under subsection (a).

Legislative History

As added by P.L.106-1998, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.237-2003, SEC.7; P.L.220-2011, SEC.319.