TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – New Jersey moved last Thursday toward becoming the first state to require both pregnant women and some newborns to be tested for HIV, despite opposition from groups who say doing so violates a woman’s civil rights.

The bill would require all pregnant women be tested for HIV twice, once early in the pregnancy and a second time in the third trimester, unless the mother asks not to be tested.

It would require newborns to be tested if either the mother has tested positive or her HIV status is unknown at time of birth.

Senate President Richard J. Codey, a bill sponsor, cited a Center for Disease Control and Prevention report that found medical treatment during pregnancy can slash the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission from 25 percent to 2 percent.

“The sooner pregnant women can be tested for the HIV infection, the sooner they can be treated,” said state Health and Senior Services Commissioner Fred Jacobs, who endorsed the bill during a Thursday hearing by a Senate health committee.

The committee voted to release the bill to the full Senate.

The state has had about 115,000 births per year in recent years, according to state statistics, and the commissioner said seven infants were born with HIV in 2005.

“Even one infant infection is one too many,” he said.

But Deborah Jacobs, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey executive director, said the bill “needlessly sacrifices the rights of women and parents” and “deprives women of their moral authority to make decisions for themselves and for children.”

“HIV testing must be informed, voluntary and free from coercion,” she said.

Sen. Loretta Weinberg, another bill sponsor, said no one would be coerced.

“We are not forcing women into anything,” said Weinberg, D-Bergen. “We are merely providing an easier way for women to get tested.”

New Jersey law now requires providers only to offer HIV testing to pregnant women. Under the proposed bill: HIV testing would be part of routine prenatal care for all pregnant women unless they object.

Connecticut, Illinois and New York are the only states that test all newborns for HIV, according to the foundation.

A spokesperson for Gov. Jon S. Corzine said the governor is reviewing the bill.