N.Y. Legislature Approves Bill Allowing Access to PCR Test for Emergency Personnel Potentially Exposed to HIV

The New York Legislature has unanimously approved identical bills (S 5424, A 576) that would allow police officers and other emergency personnel who are potentially exposed to HIV on the job to access an HIV test that can detect the virus more quickly than a traditional HIV antibody test, the New York Post reports. The measure, sponsored by state Sen. William Larkin (R) and Assembly member Gary Pretlow (D), would require employers to pay for a polymerase chain reaction HIV test, which can show if a person is infected with the virus within eight to 10 days following exposure. PCR testing is more expensive than antibody testing and has not been approved by FDA as a diagnostic test, according to the Post. The bill now goes to New York Gov. George Pataki (R) for consideration, the Post reports (Messing, New York Post, 6/28).

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