BILL NUMBER:  AB 521
  VETOED	DATE: 10/11/2015




To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 521 without my signature.

This bill would mandate hospitals to offer an HIV test to consenting
patients who have blood drawn after being admitted through the
emergency department.

This bill is not the best approach to identifying those who are
undiagnosed with HIV.  The demographics of patients targeted by this
bill do not match the demographics of the population at risk for
exposure to HIV infection.  In addition, hospitals are not
appropriately staffed nor are they the place to provide counseling,
routine preventive screenings, or follow-up care for sensitive HIV
testing.  Limited resources would be better spent supporting outreach
and education activities by existing providers which have the staff
and training for HIV testing and follow-up care.

Sincerely,



Edmund G. Brown Jr.