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 language has been updated to clarify that physicians must take blood samples during the first examination, third trimester examination, and at birth, and that these samples must be submitted to an approved laboratory for testing. Additionally, the bill mandates that the results of these tests be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Furthermore, the bill states the intent of the Legislature regarding the payment for serological tests for syphilis for individuals covered under the Medical Assistance Act, indicating that costs for these tests, which were not previously covered, will now be paid from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund and federal funds. The original section 71-502.03 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

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