2020 Indiana Code
Title 16. Health
Article 41. Public Health Measures for the Prevention and Control of Disease
Chapter 6. Communicable Disease: Mandatory Testing of Individuals With Communicable or Serious Diseases
16-41-6-4. Testing Newborn Infants; Confidentiality; Notice; Information on Treatment Options; Objecting; Rules; Application for Funds Under Ryan White Care Amendments

Sec. 4. (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).

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