§ 1095. Treatment of partner of patient diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Expedited partner treatment" means the practice of treating the sexual partner or partners of a patient diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease for the sexually transmitted disease by providing a prescription or medication to the patient for the sexual partner or partners without the prescribing or dispensing health care professional examining the sexual partner or partners.

(2) "Health care professional" means a physician licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 23 or 33, a physician assistant certified to prescribe and dispense prescription drugs pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 31, or a nurse authorized to prescribe and dispense prescription drugs pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 28.

(b) A health care professional may provide expedited partner treatment to a patient's sexual partner or partners for the treatment of a sexually transmitted disease designated by the Commissioner by rule.

(c) A health care professional who prescribes or dispenses prescription drugs for a patient's sexual partner or partners without an examination pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall do so in accordance with guidance published by the Commissioner and shall include with each prescription and medication dispensed a letter that:

(1) cautions the sexual partner not to take the medication if he or she is allergic to the medication prescribed or dispensed; and

(2) recommends that the sexual partner visit a health care professional for evaluation.

(d) The Commissioner shall establish by rule additional treatment standards for expedited partner treatment and authorize expedited partner treatment for any sexually transmitted diseases, provided that expedited partner treatment for those diseases conforms to the best practice recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Added 2013, No. 42, § 1; amended 2013, No. 42, § 2, eff. March 1, 2014.)