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2009 SESSION

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SB 1107 Exposure to communicable diseases; first responders.

Introduced by: Ralph S. Northam | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Exposure to communicable diseases; first responders.  Requires that if any salaried or volunteer firefighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician becomes exposed to another's body fluids in a manner that may transmit HIV or hepatitis, the other person will be deemed to have consented to testing for those viruses.  This bill removes the duty of a law-enforcement officer to inform a person of his deemed consent prior to exposure to his bodily fluids.  Also, when a first responder is asked to transport someone with a communicable disease, this bill removes the transferring facility's discretion in deciding if the responder must be notified as to the general condition of the patient and any precautions to be taken, and instead always requires such notice.  This bill incorporates SB 1034 (Hanger) and SB 1152 (McDougle).

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Exposure to communicable diseases; first responders.  Requires that if any first responder, including any (i) salaried or volunteer firefighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician, (ii) member of the State Police Officers' Retirement System, (iii) member of county, city, or town police departments, (iv) sheriff or deputy sheriff, (v) Department of Emergency Management hazardous materials officer, (vi) city sergeant or deputy city sergeant of the City of Richmond, (vii) Virginia Marine Police officer, (viii) conservation police officer who is a full-time sworn member of the enforcement division of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, (ix) Capitol Police officer, (x) special agent of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or (xi) conservation officer of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, becomes exposed to another's body fluids in a manner that may transmit HIV or hepatitis, the other person will be deemed to have consented to testing for those viruses.  Also, when a first responder is asked to transport someone with a communicable disease, this bill removes the transferring facility's discretion in deciding if the responder must be notified as to the general condition of the patient and any precautions to be taken, and instead always requires such notice.