Chapter 2 - Prenatal Syphilis Tests

California Health and Safety Code — §§ 120675-120715

Sections (9)

Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.

“Approved laboratory” as used in this chapter means a laboratory approved by the department, or any other laboratory whose director is licensed by the department according to law.

Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.

“Standard laboratory blood test” as used in this chapter means a test for syphilis approved by the department.

Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 486, Sec. 5. (SB 306) Effective January 1, 2022.

(a)Every licensed health care professional engaged in providing prenatal care or attending a birthing patient at the time of delivery, shall provide syphilis screening and testing as outlined in the most recent guidelines published by the State Department of Public Health.
(b)This section does not limit a local health jurisdiction’s ability to provide additional recommendations or guidelines for syphilis screening and testing, nor does it limit the ability of a health care professional to follow

other existing clinical guidelines for syphilis screening and testing recommendations, including guidelines issued by local health authorities, as long as, at minimum, the health care professional complies with subdivision (a).

Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.

The blood specimen thus obtained shall be submitted to an approved laboratory for a standard laboratory test for syphilis.

Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.

In submitting a specimen to a laboratory the physician shall designate it as a prenatal test or a test following recent delivery.

Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.

The laboratory shall submit the laboratory reports of records to the department as are required by regulation of the department. The health officer may destroy any copies of reports that have been retained by him or her pursuant to this section for a period of two years.

Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.

All laboratory reports are confidential, and are not open to public inspection.

Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.

In case of question concerning the accuracy of a test required by this chapter, it is mandatory upon the department to accept specimens for checking purposes from any district in the state.

Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.

Any licensed physician and surgeon, or other person engaged in attendance upon a pregnant woman or a recently delivered woman, or any representative of a laboratory who violates any provision of this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor. However, a licensed physician and surgeon, or other person engaged in attendance upon a pregnant or recently delivered woman, whose request for a specimen is refused, is not guilty of a misdemeanor for failure to obtain it.