ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1793

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 30, 1996

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1793.

      This bill amends P.L.1995, c.174 (C.26:5C-15 et seq.), which requires the primary caregiver of a pregnant women or new mother to provide her with information about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS, and also inform the woman of the benefits of being tested for HIV and present her with the option of being tested. The bill clarifies the intent of this statute by explicitly requiring the health care practitioner to inform the woman of the opportunity which she would have, if she tests positive for HIV, to use certain medications to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to her child.