(a) A health care provider giving prenatal care to a pregnant woman in this state during gestation shall order a blood sample of such woman for each of the following serological tests: (1) Not later than thirty days after the date of the first prenatal examination, a serological test for HIV and syphilis; (2) not later than twenty-eight to thirty-two weeks of gestation, a serological test for syphilis; (3) not later than thirty-two to thirty-six weeks of gestation, a serological test for HIV; and (4) at the time of delivery, a serological test for HIV and syphilis, provided the woman presents to labor and delivery without documentation of the required serological testing prescribed under subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection. No pregnant woman shall be subject to serological testing more than once during each of the time frames outlined in subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive. A pregnant woman’s consent to the HIV-related test, as defined in § 19a-581, shall be consistent with the consent given for the HIV-related test prescribed under § 19a-582. The laboratory tests required by this section shall be made on request without charge by the Department of Public Health. For purposes of this subsection, “health care provider” means a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 370, advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378, physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 370 or nurse midwife licensed pursuant to chapter 377.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any woman who objects to a blood test as being in conflict with her religious tenets and practices.