New
Jersey Makes HIV
Testing
For Pregnant Women Mandatory 
Sunday, December 30th, 2007
This week, the state of New Jersey took a huge
leap in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Beginning next year, all pregnant women in the state will have to take HIV
screening tests, in a statewide effort to control mother-to-child
transmission of the virus.
The president of the Senate, Richard J.
Codey, signed the bill into law on Wednesday, which requires two tests for
pregnant women: at the beginning of the pregnancy and again in the
third trimester. If the mother objects, the baby only will be tested
for HIV, but the only exceptions allowed are on religious
grounds.
Four other states have required testing for pregnant
women, and three require HIV screening of newborns, but New Jersey's law
will be the first to apply to both mother and child. The law will
take effect in January 2008.
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