House of Representatives

SB 1048

sexually transmitted diseases; exposure; testing

Sponsors: Senator Richardson; Representative Voss

 

DPA

Committee on Health

DP

Committee on Judiciary

DPA

Caucus and COW

DP

Third Read

 

X

As Passed the House

 

SB 1048 extends the testing privileges on persons who transferred blood or other bodily fluids onto a law enforcement officer, correctional service officer, detention officer, private prison security officer or fire fighter (officers) to include deceased persons and adds five sexually transmitted diseases to the list for testing.

 

History

According to the Phoenix Police Department, each year approximately 12-15 incidents occur where blood or other bodily fluids are potentially transferred to Phoenix Police Officers. SB 1048 is in response to a specific incidence where an officer had possibly been exposed to the transfer of blood or other bodily fluid by a suspect who later died. The family of the suspect refused to allow testing of the deceased. Under current law such testing is prohibited without consent and does not allow for the screening of sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV. SB 1048 allows the medical examiners to withdraw samples from a deceased person upon court order and expands the list of sexually transmitted diseases for which are tested.

 

Provisions

 

§         Extends testing privileges on persons who transferred blood or other bodily fluids to officers to include deceased persons.

§         Specifies the medical examiner shall draw samples from deceased person upon request of officer’s employment entity but shall not release the samples for testing until proper authorization is received in the form of a court order.

§         Adds Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, Syphillis and Trchomonas to the list of sexually transmitted diseases for which are tested.

§         Makes technical changes.

§         Expands testing privileges to include emergency medical technicians.

§         Expands testing privileges to include probation and surveillance officers.

§         Allows health professionals to have persons or deceased persons tested for blood borne or bodily fluid carried disease if there is probable cause to believe there was a transfer of said fluids during the practice of the professional’s official duties.

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§         45th Legislature              

§         Second Regular Session  2          April 29, 2002

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