(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a physician and surgeon who diagnoses a sexually transmitted chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other sexually transmitted infection, as determined by the department, or recommended in the most recent federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the prevention or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, in an individual patient may prescribe, dispense, furnish, or otherwise provide, including in a standing order, prescription antibiotic drugs to that patient’s sexual partner or partners without examination of that patient’s partner or partners. This practice shall be known as expedited partner therapy (EPT). The department may adopt regulations to implement this section.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a nurse practitioner pursuant to § 2836.1 of the Business and Professions Code, a certified nurse-midwife pursuant to § 2746.51 of the Business and Professions Code, and a physician assistant pursuant to § 3502.1 of the Business and Professions Code may include EPT in their practice by dispensing, furnishing, or otherwise providing, including through a standing order, prescription antibiotic drugs to the sexual partner or partners of a patient with a diagnosed sexually transmitted chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other sexually transmitted infection, as determined by the department, or recommended in the most recent federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the prevention or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, without examination of the patient’s sexual partner or partners.

(c) If a health care provider does not have the name of a patient’s sexual partner for a drug prescribed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b), the prescription shall include the words “expedited partner therapy” or the letters “EPT.”

(d) A health care provider shall not be liable in a medical malpractice action or professional disciplinary action if the health care provider’s use of EPT is in compliance with this section, except in cases of intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or wanton or reckless activity.

(e) Medi-Cal coverage of expedited partner therapy pursuant to this section shall be implemented only to the extent that the State Department of Health Care Services obtains any necessary federal approvals and federal financial participation is available and not jeopardized.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 486, Sec. 4. (SB 306) Effective January 1, 2022.)