New York Governor David Paterson signed into law two bills updating rules for HIV testing and needle exchange, according to a statement from the governor’s office. Oral consent is now sufficient for an HIV rapid test, and health care providers are required to offer an HIV test to everyone ages 13 to 64 in any health setting. Also, possession of a hypodermic needle or syringe, or of a residual amount of a controlled substance on a needle or syringe, is now legal if a person participates in a needle exchange program.

To read the statement, click here.