(a) In order to ensure that the most vulnerable Californians are informed of their hepatitis C virus (HCV) status and are linked to care and a cure, the State Department of Public Health’s Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention may purchase HCV test kits and associated materials and supplies for distribution to community-based organizations and local health departments.

(b) The Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention may also allocate funding to train personnel associated with community-based organizations and local health departments to conduct HCV testing, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and related activities.

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(c) The Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention may use a portion of the funds allocated for purposes of this section to hire necessary staff to successfully implement and evaluate the activities authorized by this section.

(d) The Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention shall establish a simple application process for community-based organizations and local health departments to apply to receive HCV test kits and support for the activities authorized by this section.

(e) If the overall requests for HCV test kits and support exceeds the amount of funds allocated for this section, the Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention may prioritize distribution of HCV test kits and support to community-based organizations and local health departments based on need in the specific geographic area and demonstrated capacity to provide culturally appropriate services to one or more of the communities most vulnerable to HCV.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 26. (AB 133) Effective July 27, 2021.)