(410 ILCS 320/1) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 4801) Sec. 1. Every appropriate health care professional attending in a professional capacity a pregnant woman in Illinois shall test every pregnant person at the time of the first examination and a second time during the third trimester of pregnancy, between 27 through 32 weeks of gestation. The specimens collected shall be submitted to a laboratory approved by the Department of Public Health for a test for syphilis approved by the State Department of Public Health. In the event that a test shall show a positive or doubtful result an additional test or tests shall be made. The test or tests shall, upon request of any provider, be made free of charge by the State Department of Public Health or the Health Departments of cities, villages, and incorporated towns maintaining laboratories for the testing of blood specimens of any woman who resides in that city, village, or incorporated town. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any woman who objects to such tests on the grounds that such tests are contrary to her religious beliefs and practices.(Source: P.A. 104-71, eff. 1-1-26.) |