This bill amends section 71-502.03 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, which pertains to blood tests for pregnant women. It introduces new provisions that require physicians to inform pregnant women that blood tests for syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are voluntary and can be declined either verbally or in writing. The bill specifies that blood samples must be taken during the first examination, third trimester examination, and at birth, and that the results of these tests must be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, it mandates that the costs of serological tests for syphilis for individuals covered under the Medical Assistance Act, which were previously not covered, will be paid from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund and federal funds.

The bill also makes several changes to the language used in the existing law, such as replacing "Every" with "Subject to subsection (2) of this section, every" and clarifying that physicians must "direct an authorized person to take" blood samples instead of "cause to be taken." Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of clear communication regarding the voluntary nature of the tests. The original section 71-502.03 is repealed, consolidating the updated provisions into a single, revised statute.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 71-502.03
Final Reading: 71-502.03
Slip Law: 71-502.03