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.