Legislature(2005 - 2006)BELTZ 211
04/26/2005 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 182 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 183 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 210 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 215 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| SB 186 | |||
| SB 187 | |||
| *+ | SB 127 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | HB 127 | ||
CSHB 210(JUD)-BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN TESTING
CHAIR GENE THERRIAULT announced HB 210 to be up for
consideration.
3:35:43 PM
SHALON SZYMANSKE, Staff to Representative Lesil McGuire,
explained the bill expands the current policies and procedures
for testing for blood borne pathogen exposure to include peace
officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and mobile
paramedics.
The bill sets out procedures to determine whether a first
responder was exposed to blood borne pathogens while working. It
provides means to protect the identity of the person being
tested as well as procedures for court ordered testing in the
event a person refuses to submit to a test.
3:37:32 PM
CHAIR THERRIAULT asked whether the bill deals with body fluids
in addition to blood.
MS. SZYMANSKE said it does.
CHAIR THERRIAULT asked about the new Section 5.
MS. SZYMANSKE said that section adds departments and
municipalities.
3:38:41 PM
SENATOR THOMAS WAGONER asked whether contract employees were
given any consideration.
MS. SZYMANSKE replied she didn't believe the bill addressed that
issue.
SENATOR WAGONER pointed out that other employees might be
exposed so the scope might not be broad enough.
MS. SZYMANSKE assured him the sponsor would be willing to make
additions.
SENATOR WAGONER said he wasn't going to offer an amendment, he
was simply asking the question.
CHAIR THERRIAULT questioned whether the language protecting
contractors is covered by the Section 7 repealer. Referencing
the word "employed" on page 7, line 7 he said he wasn't sure
whether it would be construed globally.
MS. SZYMANSKE responded she didn't have an answer.
3:42:36 PM
CHAIR THERRIAULT questioned whether Section 6 was drafted to
cover regular salaried employees and contract employees.
SENATOR WAGONER said prisons have all types of people who are
exposed to prisoners and could therefore be exposed the same as
the guards. He suggested that contract employees certainly
shouldn't be excluded.
3:43:25 PM
SENATOR KIM ELTON said it appears as though a distinction is
made for municipalities, but not necessarily for the state. The
way he reads it, a contract employee may not be covered. He
agreed with Senator Wagoner that everyone who may be put in a
situation that may result in a health question like this ought
to be covered.
CHAIR THERRIAULT mentioned a number of contract employees and
said he believes they should be covered.
3:45:13 PM
EVERT ROBINS, President, Anchorage Police Department Employees
Association, stated strong support for the bill.
3:47:35 PM
CHAIR THERRIAULT asked if he had an opinion on whether contract
employees should be covered.
MR. ROBINS said it's a good idea but the association really
looks at this as a bill for first responders.
SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS asked if he had any volunteer policemen
that participate, but aren't employed.
MR. ROBINS said there is a citizen academy in Anchorage, but
they try not to use those people as first responders.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked how he would suggest those individuals be
treated.
MR. ROBINS replied when they're riding with him they wouldn't be
first responders.
3:49:38 PM
SENATOR KIM ELTON asked if it's correct that the bill only
provides for the process that would be used for adult or
juvenile offenders and not for a victim. He could see the
benefit for a first responder in a narrow set of cases in which
the first responder may be exposed to someone who is a victim
and may become an offender.
MR. ROBINS replied the bill is for defendants. Victims are
typically compliant and volunteer samples, but defendants
frequently deny testing.
CHAIR THERRIAULT stated that in the interest of time he'd be
willing to move the bill on to the Judiciary Committee with the
recommendation to amend to include contract workers. He found no
objection.
3:51:28 PM
SENATOR WAGONER motioned to report CSHB 210(JUD) from committee
with attached fiscal notes and individual recommendations.
CHAIR THERRIAULT announced that without objection, it was so
ordered.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|