2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter II. HIV Testing and Counseling › § 715. Consent for HIV testing.

§ 715. Consent for HIV testing.
(a) A health-care provider or other person who performs HIV testing services in a clinical setting may provide routine/opt-out testing provided that the following occurs:
(1) The subject is informed, orally or in writing, that routine/opt-out HIV testing is encompassed by the general consent for medical services.
(2) The subject is given the opportunity to refuse consent to HIV testing at each instance of testing. Documentation of such refusal shall be noted in the subject's medical record.
(3) The subject is provided HIV test counseling, orally or in writing, at the first instance of testing and by request thereafter.
(b) The health-care provider or other person who performs HIV testing services in a nonclinical setting must obtain written documentation of informed consent at each instance of HIV screening.
(1) Informed consent to an HIV test in a nonclinical setting shall consist of a voluntary agreement executed by the subject of the test or the subject's legal guardian.
(2) At each instance of testing, the subject of the test must be offered HIV test counseling and prevention counseling prior to consent for HIV testing.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a minor 12 years of age or older may consent or refuse consent to be a subject of HIV-related testing and to counseling relevant to the test. The consent or refusal of the minor shall be valid and binding as if the minor had achieved majority, and shall not be voidable, nor subject to later disaffirmance, because of minority.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section do not apply when:
(1) Knowledge of such test results is necessary for medical diagnostic purposes to provide appropriate emergency care or treatment and the subject of the test is unable to grant or withhold consent.
(2) The testing is done for the purposes of research; provided that the test is performed in a manner by which the identity of the test subject is not known and may not be retrieved by the researcher.
(3) A health-care provider or health-care facility procures, processes, distributes or uses:
a. Blood;
b. A human body part donated for a purpose specified under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (Chapter 27 of this title); or
c. Semen provided prior to July 11, 1988, for the purpose of artificial insemination, and such test is necessary to assure the medical acceptability of such gift or semen for the purposes intended.
(4) The health of a health-care worker has been threatened during the course of a health-care worker's duties, as a result of exposure to blood or body fluids of the patient in a manner known to transmit HIV.
(5) It is necessary to control the transmission of HIV infection as may be allowed pursuant to this chapter as it relates to sexually transmitted diseases, or § 6523(b) of Title 11 as it relates to the Department of Correction.
(6) Testing is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction within the confines of civil or criminal litigation where the results of an HIV-related test of a party, or a person in the custody or under the legal control of another party, is relevant to the ultimate issue of culpability and/or liability. Said order must be issued in compliance with the following provisions:
a. No court of this State shall issue such order unless the court finds that there is a compelling need for such test results, which cannot be accommodated by other means. In assessing compelling need, the court shall weigh the need for testing and disclosure of the test results against the privacy interest of the test subject and the public interest, which may be disserved, by disclosure which deters future testing or which may lead to discrimination.
b. Pleadings pertaining to ordering of an HIV-related test shall substitute a pseudonym for the true name of the subject of the test. The true name shall be communicated confidentially, in documents not filed with the court.
c. Before granting any such order, the court shall provide the subject of the test with notice and a reasonable opportunity to participate in the proceedings if the individual is not already a party.
d. Court proceedings as to disclosure of test results so ordered shall be conducted in camera unless the subject of the test agrees to a hearing in open court or unless the court determines that a public hearing is necessary to the public interest and the proper administration of justice.
(e) Any person on whom an HIV-related test was performed without first having obtained informed consent pursuant to paragraphs (d)(1), (4) and (5) of this section shall be given notice promptly, personally and confidentially that a test sample was taken and the results of such test may be obtained upon request.
(f) At the time of learning the test result, the subject of the test or the subject's legal guardian shall be provided with counseling for coping with the emotional consequences of learning the result, for understanding the interpretation of the test result, for understanding measures for preventing infection to others, to urge the voluntary notification of sexual and needle-sharing partners of the risk of infection and the availability of any appropriate health-care services, including mental health-care and appropriate social and supportive services.
66 Del. Laws, c. 336, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 109, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  2;