CA AB2179

Authorizes hepatitis C counselors who meet specified requirements to perform waived hepatitis C virus (HCV) tests and order and report HCV test results without authorization from a licensed health care practitioner.

Allows hepatitis C counselors to perform skin punctures for blood withdrawal during HCV testing under the direction of a licensed physician and surgeon, provided they receive training in rapid test proficiency and infection control precautions.

Requires patients to be informed that preliminary HCV test results are indicative only and must be confirmed by additional testing; patients with positive or indeterminate results must be referred to a licensed health care practitioner for further evaluation.

Adds hepatitis C counselors to the list of professionals authorized to perform waived clinical laboratory tests under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988.

Defines hepatitis C counselor qualifications to include either authorization under existing law or employment at a hepatitis C counseling and testing site with staff trained by the State Department of Public Health that maintains a quality assurance plan.