2013 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 19a - Public Health and Well-Being
Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health
Section 19a-90 - (Formerly Sec. 19-47). Blood testing of pregnant women for syphilis and AIDS.

(a) Each physician giving prenatal care to a pregnant woman in this state during gestation shall take or cause to be taken a blood sample of each such woman within thirty days from the date of the first examination and during the final trimester between the twenty-sixth and twenty-eighth week of gestation or shortly thereafter subject to the provisions of this section, and shall submit such sample to an approved laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis and an HIV-related test, as defined in section 19a-581, provided consent is given for the HIV-related test consistent with section 19a-582. Each other person permitted by law to attend upon pregnant women in the state, but not permitted by law to take blood tests, shall cause a blood sample of each pregnant woman so attended to be taken by a licensed physician in accordance with the time schedule and requirements of this section and such sample shall be submitted to an approved laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis and an HIV-related test, provided consent is given for the HIV-related test consistent with section 19a-582. A blood sample taken at the time of delivery shall not meet the requirement for a blood sample during the final trimester. The term “approved laboratory” means a laboratory approved for this purpose by the Department of Public Health. A standard serological test for syphilis is a test recognized as such by the Department of Public Health. The laboratory tests required by this section shall be made on request without charge by the Department of Public Health.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any woman who objects to a blood test as being in conflict with her religious tenets and practices.

(1949 Rev., S. 3836; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 79-39; P.A. 90-13, S. 3; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2, S. 31.)

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-39 simplified language and required blood sample taken during final trimester of pregnancy; Sec. 19-47 transferred to Sec. 19a-90 in 1983; P.A. 90-13 amended Subsec. (a) to specify that the test during the final trimester be done between the twenty-sixth and twenty-eighth week of gestation and added Subsec. (b); P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; June Sp. Sess. P.A 99-2 added HIV-related test requirement in Subsec. (a).

See Sec. 19a-55 re newborn infant health screening.

See Sec. 19a-215 re required reporting of communicable diseases.

See Sec. 19a-593 re testing of pregnant women and newborns.