Texas health care providers are now required to test pregnant women for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) under the revised Texas Health and Safety Code, reports local CBS affiliate TXA 21.

Under the new law, an HIV test is administered during the expecting mother’s first prenatal visit, and a second test takes place either in the third trimester or during delivery. In addition, mothers will be tested for syphilis and hepatitis B.

The testing requirements are meant to reduce the number of children born with birth defects. However, women still have the right to refuse the tests.

According to the article, the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission drops to 2 percent with antiretroviral treatment.