Section 7530.  


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  • The following procedures shall apply to testing conducted under this title:

    (a) The withdrawal of blood shall be performed in a medically approved manner. Only a physician, registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, licensed medical technician, or licensed phlebotomist may withdraw blood specimens for the purposes of this title.

    (b) The chief medical officer, as specified in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 7510), shall order that the blood specimens be transmitted to a licensed medical laboratory which has been approved by the State Department of Health Services for the conducting of HIV testing, and that tests including all readily available confirmatory tests be conducted thereon for medically accepted indications of exposure to or infection with HIV. The State Department of Health Services shall adopt standards for the approval of medical laboratories for the conducting of HIV testing under this title. The State Department of Health Services shall adopt standards for the conducting of tests under Section 7530. Testing for hepatitis B or C may be conducted by any licensed medical laboratory approved by the chief medical officer.

    (c) Copies of the test results shall be sent by the laboratory to the chief medical officer who made the decision under either Section 7511 or 7512 or who convened the panel under Section 7515 or 7516. The laboratory shall be responsible for protecting the confidentiality of these test results. Willful or negligent breach of this responsibility shall be grounds for a violation of the contract.

    (d) The test results shall be sent by the chief medical officer to the designated recipients with the following disclaimer:

    "The tests were conducted in a medically approved manner but tests cannot determine exposure to or infection by AIDS or other communicable diseases with absolute accuracy. Persons receiving this test result should continue to monitor their own health and should consult a physician as appropriate."

    (e) If the person subject to the test is a minor, copies of the test result shall also be sent to the minor's parents or guardian.

    (f) All persons, other than the test subject, who receive test results shall maintain the confidentiality of personal identifying data relating to the test results, except for disclosure which may be necessary to obtain medical or psychological care or advice, or to comply with this title.

    (g) The specimens and the results of the tests shall not be admissible evidence in any criminal or disciplinary proceeding.

    (h) Any person performing testing, transmitting test results, or disclosing information in accordance with this title shall be immune from civil liability for any action undertaken in accordance with this title.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 800, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2007.)