ANNAPOLIS -- Rape victims would be able to request that a suspect charged in their assault undergo a test for the virus that causes AIDS, under a bill moving in the legislature.

The House of Delegates passed the bill yesterday by an 87-37 vote. The Senate already has passed a similar measure.

Supporters said the "victims' rights" measure would enable women to find out fairly quickly whether the accused assailant might have exposed them to acquired immune deficiency syndrome. That way, they could plan their medical care.

Opponents argued that a suspect should not be forced to take a test for the human immunodeficiency virus before he is convicted.

Under current law, neither accused nor convicted rapists can be forced to undergo a test for HIV.