Article 3. Sickle Cell Anemia of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 106. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 3.

It is the policy of the State of California to make every effort to detect, as early as possible, sickle cell anemia, a heritable disorder that leads to physical defects. The department shall have the responsibility of designating tests and regulations to be used in executing this policy. These tests shall be in accordance with accepted medical practices. Testing for sickle cell anemia may be conducted at the following times:
  (a) Upon first enrollment of a child at an elementary school in this state, the child may be tested.
  (b) For any child not tested pursuant to subdivision (a), upon first enrollment at a junior high school or senior high school in this state, as the case may be, the child may be tested.
  (c) Upon application of any person for a license to marry, the parties seeking to be married may be tested.
  (d) At any other times that the department may designate. This section shall not apply if a parent or guardian of a minor child sought to be tested or any adult sought to be tested objects to the test on the ground that the test conflicts with his or her religious beliefs or practices.

The department may require that a test be given for sickle cell anemia pursuant to Section 125025 to any identifiable segment of the population that the department determines is susceptible to sickle cell anemia at a disproportionately higher ratio than is the balance of the population.

The department is authorized to make grants or contracts for demonstration projects to determine the feasibility of alternate methods of testing for sickle cell anemia, to provide counseling services, to evaluate the social consequences of the identification of sickle cell trait carriers, to provide training in genetic counseling, and to conduct research on the prevention of sickle cell anemia.