HIV testing: skin punctures.

Existing law provides for various programs relating to treatment of persons with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . Existing law permits the Office of AIDS in the department to participate in a rapid HIV test research program conducted with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This bill would repeal this authority. Existing law also authorizes HIV counselors trained by the office to perform skin punctures for purposes of withdrawing blood for HIV test purposes, if the HIV counselor meets prescribed requirements. One of these requirements is that the HIV counselor must hold a valid certification as a phlebotomist technician by the department. This bill would exempt an HIV counselor who works under a licensed physician and surgeon, and who is trained in rapid HIV test proficiency and universal infection control precautions, as specified, from the requirement that he or she hold a valid certification as a phlebotomist technician. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.