Health and Safety Code section 121065

(a)

The withdrawal of blood shall be performed in a medically approved manner. Only a physician, registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, licensed medical technician, or licensed phlebotomist may withdraw blood specimens for the purposes of this chapter.

(b)

The court shall order that the blood specimens be transmitted to a licensed medical laboratory and that tests be conducted thereon for medically accepted indications of exposure to or infection by HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

(c)

(1)The test results shall be sent to the designated recipients with the following disclaimer:
“The tests were conducted in a medically approved manner. Persons receiving this test result should continue to monitor their own health and should consult a physician as appropriate. Recipients of these test results are subject to existing confidentiality protections for any identifying information about HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C test results. Medical information regarding the HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C status of the source patient shall be kept confidential and may not be further disclosed, except as otherwise authorized by law.”

(2)

The exposed individual shall also be informed of the penalties for disclosure for which he or she would be personally liable pursuant to Section 120980.
If the person subject to the test is a minor, copies of the test result shall also be sent to the minor’s parents or guardian.

(d)

The court shall order all persons, other than the test subject, who receive test results pursuant to Sections 121055, 121056, or 121060, to maintain the confidentiality of personal identifying data relating to the test results except for disclosure that may be necessary to obtain medical or psychological care or advice.

(e)

The specimens and the results of tests ordered pursuant to Section 121055, 121056, and 121060 shall not be admissible evidence in any criminal or juvenile proceeding.

(f)

Any person performing testing, transmitting test results, or disclosing information pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be immune from civil liability for any action undertaken in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

Source: Section 121065, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=121065.­ (accessed May 14, 2025).

Last Updated

May 12, 2025

§ 121065’s source at ca​.gov