ARTICLE 4. Prenatal Testing [125050. - 125119.5.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 4.

in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125050. Section 125050.

The department shall administer a statewide program for the prenatal testing for genetic disorders and birth defects, including, but not limited to, ultrasound, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, and blood testing for genetic disorders and birth defects.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125055. Section 125055.

The department shall: (a) Establish criteria for eligibility for the prenatal testing program. Eligibility shall include definition of conditions and circumstances that result in a high risk of a detectable genetic disorder or birth defect. (b) (1) Develop an education program designed to educate physicians and surgeons and the public concerning the uses of prenatal testing and the availability of the program. (2) (A) Include information regarding environmental health in the California Prenatal Screening Program patient educational information. This environmental health information shall include the following statement: “We encounter chemicals and other substances in everyday life that may affect your developing fetus. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to these potentially harmful substances at home, in the workplace, and in the environment. Many Californians are unaware that a number of everyday consumer products may pose potential harm. Prospective parents should talk to their doctor and are encouraged to read more about this topic to learn about simple actions to promote a healthy pregnancy.” (B) The department shall include in the patient educational information links to educational materials derived from peer-reviewed materials based on the best available evidence relating to environmental health and reproductive toxins. (C) The department shall post the environmental health information described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) on its Internet Web site. (D) The department shall send a notice to all distributors of the patient educational information informing them of the change to that information. In the notice, the department shall encourage obstetrician-gynecologists and midwives to discuss environmental health with their patients and to direct their patients to the appropriate page or pages in the patient educational information to provide their patients with additional information. (E) In order to minimize costs, the environmental health information described in this paragraph shall be included when the patient educational information is otherwise revised and reprinted. (F) The department may modify the language in the patient educational information after consultation with medical and scientific experts in the field of environmental health and reproductive toxins. (c) Ensure that genetic counseling be given in conjunction with prenatal testing at the approved prenatal diagnosis centers. (d) Designate sufficient prenatal diagnosis centers to meet the need for these services. Prenatal diagnosis centers shall have equipment and staff trained and capable of providing genetic counseling and performing prenatal diagnostic procedures and tests, including the interpretation of the results of the procedures and tests. (e) Administer a program of subsidy grants for approved nonprofit prenatal diagnosis centers. The subsidy grants shall be awarded based on the reported number of low-income women referred to the center, the number of prenatal diagnoses performed in the previous year at that center, and the estimated size of unmet need for prenatal diagnostic procedures and tests in its service area. This subsidy shall be in addition to fees collected under other state programs. (f) Establish any rules, regulations, and standards for prenatal diagnostic testing and the allocation of subsidies as the director deems necessary to promote and protect the public health and safety and to implement the Hereditary Disorders Act (Section 27). (g) (1) The department shall expand prenatal screening to include all tests that meet or exceed the current standard of care as recommended by nationally recognized medical or genetic organizations, including, but not limited to, inhibin. (2) The prenatal screening fee increase for expanding prenatal screening to include those tests described in paragraph (1) is forty dollars ($40). (3) The department shall report to the Legislature regarding the progress of the program with regard to implementing prenatal screening for those tests described in paragraph (1) on or before July 1, 2007. The report shall include the costs of screening, followup, and treatment as compared to costs and morbidity averted by this testing under the program. (4) (A) The expenditure of funds from the Genetic Disease Testing Fund for the expansion of the Genetic Disease Branch Screening Information System to include the expansion of prenatal screenings, pursuant to paragraph (1), may be implemented through the amendment of the Genetic Disease Branch Screening Information System contracts, and shall not be subject to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10290) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12100) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, Article 4 (commencing with Section 19130) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, or Sections 4800 to 5180, inclusive, of the State Administrative Manual as they relate to approval of information technology projects or approval of increases in the duration or costs of information technology projects. This paragraph shall apply to the design, development, and implementation of the expansion, and to the maintenance and operation of the Genetic Disease Branch Screening Information System, including change requests, once the expansion is implemented. (B) (i) The department may adopt emergency regulations to implement and make specific the amendments to this section made during the 2006 portion of the 2005–06 Regular Session in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. For the purposes of the Administrative Procedure Act, the adoption of regulations shall be deemed an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general welfare. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, these emergency regulations shall not be subject to the review and approval of the Office of Administrative Law. Notwithstanding Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, the department shall submit these regulations directly to the Secretary of State for filing. The regulations shall become effective immediately upon filing by the Secretary of State. Regulations shall be subject to public hearing within 120 days of filing with the Secretary of State and shall comply with Sections 11346.8 and 11346.9 of the Government Code or shall be repealed. (ii) The Office of Administrative Law shall provide for the printing and publication of these regulations in the California Code of Regulations. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter shall not be repealed by the Office of Administrative Law and shall remain in effect until revised or repealed by the department.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125060. Section 125060.

The participation by any individual in the prenatal testing program shall be wholly voluntary and shall not be a prerequisite to eligibility for, or receipt of, any other service or assistance from, or to participation in, any other program.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125065. Section 125065.

All prenatal diagnosis centers shall meet standards developed by the department and shall agree to accept patients from state funded or administered programs, including, but not limited to, Medi-Cal, Regional Centers, Maternal and Child Health, California Children’s Services, Genetically Handicapped Persons Program, and Family Planning. Only prenatal diagnosis centers meeting standards developed by the department shall be eligible for reimbursement under these state programs.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125070. Section 125070.

Laboratories licensed by the department shall not offer the maternal serum-alpha fetoprotein screening test for prenatal detection of neural tube defects of the fetus until the department has developed regulations, under the authorization granted by Section 124980. However, laboratories providing this testing, as of July 21, 1983, may continue to provide this testing until these regulations become operative. The department shall adopt regulations pursuant to this section.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125080. Section 125080.

A licensed physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of a pregnant woman or attending the woman at the time of delivery shall obtain or cause to be obtained a blood specimen of the woman. Prior to obtaining the blood specimen, the woman shall be notified of the fact that the blood specimen is going to be obtained. If the blood specimen is not obtained prior to delivery, it shall be obtained at the time of delivery.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125085. Section 125085.

(a) As early as possible during prenatal care, a blood specimen obtained pursuant to Section 125080 shall be submitted to a clinical laboratory licensed by the department or to an approved public health laboratory for a determination of rhesus (Rh) blood type and the results shall be reported to both of the following: (1) The physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of the woman or attending the woman at the time of delivery. (2) The woman tested. (b) (1) In addition, as early as possible during prenatal care, a blood specimen obtained pursuant to Section 125080 shall be submitted to a clinical laboratory licensed by the department or to an approved public health laboratory for a test to determine the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the results shall be reported to both of the following: (A) The physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of the women or attending the woman at the time of delivery who ordered the test, and who shall subsequently inform the woman tested. (B) A positive test result shall be reported to the local health officer, with the information required and within the timeframes established by the department, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 2500) of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. (2) In the event that other tests to determine hepatitis B infection or HIV infection become available, the department may approve additional tests.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125090. Section 125090.

(a) Subdivision (a) of Section 125085 shall not be applicable if the licensed physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of a pregnant woman or attending the woman at the time of delivery has knowledge of the woman’s blood type and accepts responsibility for the accuracy of the information. (b) Subdivision (b) of Section 125085 shall not be applicable if the licensed physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of a pregnant woman or attending the woman at the time of delivery has knowledge that the woman has previously been determined to be chronically infected with hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and accepts responsibility for the accuracy of the information. (c) Prior to obtaining a blood specimen collected pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 125085 or this section, the physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of a pregnant woman, or attending the woman at the time of labor or delivery, shall ensure that the woman is informed of the intent to perform a test for HIV infection, the routine nature of the test, the purpose of the testing, the risks and benefits of the test, the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV, that approved treatments are known to decrease the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV, and that the woman has a right to decline this testing. (d) If, during the final review of standard of prenatal care medical tests, the medical records of the pregnant woman do not document a test for rhesus (Rh) antibody blood type, a test for hepatitis B, or a test for HIV, the physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of the woman, or attending the woman at the time of labor or delivery, shall obtain a blood specimen from the woman for the tests that have not been documented. Prior to obtaining this blood specimen, the provider shall ensure that the woman is informed of the intent to perform the tests that have not been documented prior to this visit, including a test for HIV infection, the routine nature of the test, the purpose of the testing, the risks and benefits of the test, the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV, that approved treatments are known to decrease the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV, and that the woman has a right to decline the HIV test. The blood shall be tested by a method that will ensure the earliest possible results, and the results shall be reported to both of the following: (1) The physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of the woman or attending the woman at the time of delivery. (2) The woman tested. (e) After the results of the tests done pursuant to this section and Section 125085 have been received, the physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of the pregnant woman or attending the woman at the time of labor, delivery, or post partum care at the time the results are received shall ensure that the woman receives information and counseling, as appropriate, to explain the results and the implications for the mother’s and infant’s health, including any followup testing and care that are indicated. If the woman tests positive for HIV antibodies, she shall also receive, whenever possible, a referral to a provider, provider group, or institution specializing in prenatal and post partum care for HIV-positive women and their infants. Health care providers are also strongly encouraged to seek consultation with HIV specialists who provide care for pregnant and post partum HIV-positive women and their infants. (f) The provisions of Section 125107 for counseling are equally applicable to every pregnant patient covered by subdivisions (c) and (d). (g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a licensed physician and surgeon or other person engaged in the prenatal care of a pregnant woman or attending the woman at the time of delivery to unlawfully disclose an individual’s HIV status, or to otherwise violate provisions of Section 54 of the Civil Code, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336), or the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), which prohibit discrimination against individuals who are living with HIV, or who test positive for HIV, or are presumed to be HIV-positive.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125092. Section 125092.

The department, in consultation with the Office of AIDS and with other stakeholders, including, but not limited to, representatives of professional medical and public health advocacy groups, providers of health care to women and infants infected with or exposed to HIV, and women living with HIV, shall develop culturally sensitive informational material adequate to fulfill the requirements of subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 125090, in English, Spanish, and other languages used by the department when providing information to clients under the Medi-Cal program. This material shall also include information on available referral and consultation resources of experts in prenatal HIV treatment. This material shall be completed by December 31, 2004.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125095. Section 125095.

The department may adopt regulations as it determines are reasonably necessary for the implementation of the Maternal and Child Health Program Act (Section 27).

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125100. Section 125100.

(a) Clinical laboratories licensed by the department, approved public health laboratories, local health departments, physicians and surgeons, or other persons engaged in the prenatal care of a pregnant woman or in the care of an infant shall maintain and make available to the department information necessary to evaluate, for public health purposes, the effectiveness of testing and followup treatment for the prevention of perinatally transmitted hepatitis B infection. (b) The department shall make available, to the extent state funds are appropriated therefor in the annual Budget Act or federal funds are available for that purpose, money to each county requesting funds for testing and followup treatment for the prevention of perinatally transmitted hepatitis B infection or for any functions performed pursuant to subdivision (a). The money shall be allocated by the department on the basis of the incidence of perinatally transmitted hepatitis B infection and the need for necessary followup treatment and evaluation in the requesting county.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125105. Section 125105.

(a) The blood specimen and test results pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 125085 shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, except as otherwise provided by law. (b) No person shall be compelled in any state, county, city, or other local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceeding to provide test results determined pursuant to Section 125080 and Section 125085.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125107. Section 125107.

(a) For purposes of this section, “prenatal care provider” means a licensed health care professional providing prenatal care within his or her lawful scope of practice. This definition shall not include a licensed health care professional who provides care other than prenatal care to a pregnant patient. (b) The prenatal care provider primarily responsible for providing prenatal care to a pregnant patient shall offer human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) information and counseling to every pregnant patient. This information and counseling shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following: (1) A description of the modes of HIV transmission. (2) A discussion of risk reduction behavior modifications including methods to reduce the risk of perinatal transmission. (3) If appropriate, referral information to other HIV prevention and psychosocial services including anonymous and confidential test sites approved by the Office of AIDS. (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require mandatory testing. Any documentation or disclosure of HIV-related information shall be made in accordance with Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 120975) of Part 4 of Division 105 regarding confidentiality and informed consent. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a prenatal care provider to unlawfully disclose an individual’s HIV status, or to otherwise violate provisions of Section 54 of the Civil Code, or the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336), or the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), which prohibit discrimination against individuals who are living with HIV, or who test positive for HIV, or are presumed to be HIV-positive.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125110. Section 125110.

The Maternal and Child Health Program Act (Section 27) shall not apply if the pregnant woman objects to the test required by that act on the ground that the test conflicts with her religious beliefs or practices.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125118. Section 125118.

(a) The State Department of Public Health shall develop guidelines for research involving the derivation or use of human embryonic stem cells in California. (b) In developing the guidelines specified in subdivision (a), the department may consider other applicable guidelines developed or in use in the United States and in other countries, including, but not limited to, the Guidelines for Research Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells developed by the National Institutes of Health and published in August 2000, and corrected in November 2000, and the Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research issued by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in 2005.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125119. Section 125119.

(a) (1) All research projects involving the derivation or use of human embryonic stem cells shall be reviewed and approved by a stem cell research oversight committee prior to being undertaken. Any stem cell research oversight committee shall, in its review of human embryonic stem cell research projects, consider and apply the guidelines developed by the department pursuant to Section 125118. A stem cell research oversight committee may require modifications to the plan or design of a proposed human embryonic stem cell research project as a condition of approving the research project. (2) A stem cell research oversight committee for purposes of this article shall be established substantially in accordance with Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research issued by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in 2005. This committee shall be established in accordance with standards issued by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) as authorized by Article XXXV of the California Constitution. The intent of the Legislature is to avoid inconsistencies for stem cell research oversight committees established pursuant to this article with other existing standards for research conducted in California. (b) Not less than once per year, a stem cell research oversight committee shall conduct continuing review of human embryonic stem cell research projects reviewed and approved under this section in order to ensure that the research continues to meet the standards for stem cell research oversight committee approval. Pursuant to its review in accordance with this subdivision, a stem cell research oversight committee may revoke its prior approval of research under this section and require modifications to the plan or design of a continuing research project before permitting the research to continue. (c) A stem cell research oversight committee may provide scientific and ethical review of research consistent with this article.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125119.3. Section 125119.3.

(a) Each stem cell research oversight committee that has reviewed human embryonic stem cell research pursuant to Section 125119 shall report to the department, annually, on the number of human embryonic stem cell research projects that the stem cell research oversight committee has reviewed, and the status and disposition of each of those projects, including the information collected pursuant to Section 125342. (b) Each stem cell research oversight committee shall also report to the department regarding unanticipated problems, unforeseen issues, or serious continuing investigator noncompliance with the requirements or determinations of the stem cell research oversight committee with respect to the review of human embryonic stem cell research projects, and the actions taken by the stem cell research oversight committee to respond to these situations.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 125119.5. Section 125119.5.

(a) The department shall at least annually review reports from stem cell research oversight committees, and may revise the guidelines developed pursuant to Section 125118, as it deems necessary. (b) The department shall provide a biennial review to the Legislature on human embryonic stem cell research activity. These biennial reviews shall be compiled from the reports from stem cell research oversight committees.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026