N.J. assembly committee gives minors right to confidential HIV tests

The New Jersey assembly's health and human services committee voted 5-0 Thursday on a bill that would allow minors in the state to get tested for HIV antibodies without letting their parents know, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. Current state law allows minors to undergo testing and treatment for other sexually transmitted diseases and to receive substance abuse counseling and treatment without parental notification, but the law does not specifically address HIV. Bill sponsor Reed Gusciora said the bill aims to alleviate the fears some youths have that their parents will find out if they are tested for HIV antibodies. Some Republican lawmakers not on the health committee had lobbied the committee to reject the bill.