AB 2960: Sexually transmitted diseases: testing.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of health facilities, including primary care clinics and general acute care hospitals, by the State Department of Public Health. A violation of these provisions is a crime. Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to investigate conditions affecting the prevention and control of venereal diseases, as defined, and approved procedures for prevention and control, and to disseminate educational information relating to venereal disease. Existing law requires the department to cooperate with specified entities, including clinics and public and private hospitals, to prevent, control and cure venereal diseases, including syphilis.

This bill would would, until January 1, 2030, require a licensed primary care clinic or hospital emergency department to offer a syphilis test at least once a year to all patients who can become pregnant. who are sexually active and at least 15 years of age and authorize a licensed primary care clinic or hospital emergency room to offer the test to a patient under 15 years of age, as specified. The bill would exempt the patients primary care clinic from these provisions if the patient has been tested, or if they have been offered the test and declined it in the past 12 months. The bill would specifically provide that a primary care clinic or hospital emergency department is not prohibited from charging a patient to cover the cost of the test. The bill would also state the intent of the Legislature to first offer bicillin, the preferred treatment for pregnant persons with syphilis, to those who are pregnant in the case of a shortage of the medication. The bill would exempt a violation of these provisions from being a crime.