HIV Testing Is Now a Routine Part of Health Care in New York
Change in state law requires health professionals to offer voluntary HIV tests to patients 13 to 64 years old
New law also simplifies informed consent process, allowing for verbal consent in some circumstances
Voluntary HIV testing is now part of routine medical care in the state of New York. Due to a change in New York's State Public Health Law, New York residents receiving health services at most medical facilities should now expect to be offered a voluntary HIV test. With limited exceptions, the new State law requires health care professionals to offer all patients between the ages of 13 to 64 a voluntary HIV test. The law applies to anyone receiving treatment for a non-life-threatening condition in a hospital, a hospital emergency department or a primary care setting, such as a doctor's office or outpatient clinic.