US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

     246.71 Definitions. 

    Subdivision 1.    Scope.  For purposes of sections 
 246.71 to 246.722, the following terms have the meaning given 
 them. 

    Subd. 2.    Bloodborne pathogens.  "Bloodborne pathogens"
 means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood 
 and can cause disease in humans.  These pathogens include, but 
 are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus 
 (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 

    Subd. 3.    Patient.  "Patient" means any person who is 
 receiving treatment from or committed to a secure treatment 
 facility. 

    Subd. 4.    Employee of a secure treatment facility or 
 employee.  "Employee of a secure treatment facility" or 
 "employee" means an employee of the Minnesota Security Hospital 
 or a secure treatment facility operated by the Minnesota sex 
 offender program. 

    Subd. 5.    Secure treatment facility.  "Secure 
 treatment facility" means the Minnesota Security Hospital and 
 the Minnesota sex offender program facility in Moose Lake and 
 any portion of the Minnesota sex offender program operated by 
 the Minnesota sex offender program at the Minnesota Security 
 Hospital.  

    Subd. 6.    Significant exposure.  "Significant exposure"
 means contact likely to transmit a bloodborne pathogen, in a 
 manner supported by the most current guidelines and 
 recommendations of the United States Public Health Service at 
 the time an evaluation takes place, that includes: 

    (1) percutaneous injury, contact of mucous membrane or 
 nonintact skin, or prolonged contact of intact skin; and 

    (2) contact, in a manner that may transmit a bloodborne 
 pathogen, with blood, tissue, or potentially infectious body 
 fluids. 

    HIST: 2000 c 422 s 40; 1Sp2003 c 14 art 6 s 32,33 

Copyright 2005 by the Office of Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota.