The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has received final approval for new administrative rules that will help facilitate HIV rapid testing by nonprofit organizations, according to a department press release. The approval follows a public hearing process that solicited comments
The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has received final approval for new administrative rules that will help facilitate HIV rapid testing by nonprofit organizations, according to a department press release. The approval follows a public hearing process that solicited comments statewide.
As of last Thursday, the rule change provides less stringent regulations for nonprofit organizations and other state or local government laboratories that engage in limited public health testing.
“The new administrative rules will help organizations like the Life Foundation provide HIV tests that will allow for individuals to obtain their results in approximately 20 minutes,” Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino said in the release. “This means we can better help individuals learn their HIV status and link them with prevention and medical care services as needed.”
Gov. Linda Lingle signed the approval of Hawai‘i Administrative Rules entitled “Clinical Laboratories and Laboratory Personnel” on June 17. The new rules allow organizations to perform HIV rapid and influenza tests on a limited basis; they also facilitate licensing of laboratory clinicians who received their formal training on foreign countries.
To access the new rules, visit www.hawaii.gov/health/about/rules/admrules/html.
