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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 4, 2015 11:25 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Dom Costa |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Occupational Exposure Statue – Department of Corrections |
In the near future I intend to re-introduce former HB 1847 which will amend the Confidentiality of HIV-Related Information Act pertaining to the occupational exposure of certain individuals and employees of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC). When a health care provider, first responder, or corrections employee is exposed to an inmate’s blood or bodily fluids while administering health care or occupational services, the inmate may refuse to submit to a test for blood-borne pathogens. Currently, Pennsylvania law requires the Department of Corrections to obtain a court order to test an inmate’s blood. DOC officials have expressed that this procedure involves a lengthy legal process that unnecessarily wastes both vital financial and human resources. Additionally, this bill would allow the DOC or a county jail who has information regarding an inmate’s HIV status to disclose that information to a health care provider, first responder, corrections employee, corrections contractor or corrections volunteer who has experienced a significant exposure to an inmate’s blood or body fluids during the performance of their occupational duties in a DOC facility or county jail. This legislation is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association (PSCOA). Please join me is co-sponsoring this important legislation. THIS MEASURE HAS THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS & THE PENNSYVLANIA STATE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (PSCOA) Last year’s co-sponsors - ROCK, THOMAS, ROAE, V. BROWN, EVERETT, ENGLISH, FLYNN, DONATUCCI, KINSEY, COHEN, CALTAGIRONE, MILLARD, NEILSON, CLAY and MUSTIO |
Introduced as HB1059