CA AB2439

Creates a pilot project administered by the State Department of Public Health to assess routine HIV testing in hospital emergency departments, running from March 1, 2017 to February 28, 2019.

Requires participation by 4 hospitals (or fewer if insufficient volunteers) selected from large urban areas (2 hospitals), small urban/suburban areas (1 hospital), and rural areas (1 hospital).

Mandates participating hospitals offer HIV tests to consenting patients aged 15-65 in emergency departments, with exceptions for life-threatening emergencies, lack of capacity to consent, or significant pain/distress.

Requires hospitals to collect and report data including frequency of test offers, consent rates, time to test and counsel, HIV positivity rates, and patient adherence to follow-up counseling.

Directs the Department of Public Health to submit a report to the Legislature by December 1, 2019 with findings and recommendations about routine HIV testing in hospital emergency departments, contingent on available funding.