2018 Revised Code of Washington
Title 70 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
70.24 Control and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
70.24.340 Convicted persons—Mandatory testing and counseling for certain offenses—Employees' substantial exposure to bodily fluids—Procedure and court orders.
RCW 70.24.340 Convicted persons—Mandatory testing and counseling for certain offenses—Employees' substantial exposure to bodily fluids—Procedure and court orders.
(1) Local health departments authorized under this chapter shall conduct or cause to be conducted pretest counseling, HIV testing, and posttest counseling of all persons:
(a) Convicted of a sexual offense under chapter 9A.44 RCW;
(b) Convicted of prostitution or offenses relating to prostitution under chapter 9A.88 RCW; or
(c) Convicted of drug offenses under chapter 69.50 RCW if the court determines at the time of conviction that the related drug offense is one associated with the use of hypodermic needles.
(2) Such testing shall be conducted as soon as possible after sentencing and shall be so ordered by the sentencing judge.
(3) This section applies only to offenses committed after March 23, 1988.
(4) A law enforcement officer, firefighter, health care provider, health care facility staff person, department of corrections' staff person, jail staff person, or other categories of employment determined by the board in rule to be at risk of substantial exposure to HIV, who has experienced a substantial exposure to another person's bodily fluids in the course of his or her employment, may request a state or local public health officer to order pretest counseling, HIV testing, and posttest counseling for the person whose bodily fluids he or she has been exposed to. A person eligible to request a state or local health official to order HIV testing under this chapter and board rule may also request a state or local health officer to order testing for other blood-borne pathogens. If the state or local public health officer refuses to order counseling and testing under this subsection, the person who made the request may petition the superior court for a hearing to determine whether an order shall be issued. The hearing on the petition shall be held within seventy-two hours of filing the petition, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The standard of review to determine whether the public health officer shall be required to issue the order is whether substantial exposure occurred and whether that exposure presents a possible risk of transmission of the HIV virus as defined by the board by rule. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the court shall issue the appropriate order, which may require additional testing for other blood-borne pathogens.
The person who is subject to the state or local public health officer's order to receive counseling and testing shall be given written notice of the order promptly, personally, and confidentially, stating the grounds and provisions of the order, including the factual basis therefor. If the person who is subject to the order refuses to comply, the state or local public health officer may petition the superior court for a hearing. The hearing on the petition shall be held within seventy-two hours of filing the petition, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The standard of review for the order is whether substantial exposure occurred and whether that exposure presents a possible risk of transmission of the HIV virus as defined by the board by rule. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the court shall issue the appropriate order.
The state or local public health officer shall perform counseling and testing under this subsection if he or she finds that the exposure was substantial and presents a possible risk as defined by the board of health by rule or if he or she is ordered to do so by a court.
The counseling and testing required under this subsection shall be completed as soon as possible after the substantial exposure or after an order is issued by a court, but shall begin not later than seventy-two hours after the substantial exposure or an order is issued by the court.
[ 2011 c 232 § 2; 1997 c 345 § 3; 1988 c 206 § 703.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—1997 c 345: "(1) The legislature finds that department of corrections staff and jail staff perform essential public functions that are vital to our communities. The health and safety of these workers is often placed in jeopardy while they perform the responsibilities of their jobs. Therefore, the legislature intends that the results of any HIV tests conducted on an offender or detainee pursuant to RCW 70.24.340(1), 70.24.360, or 70.24.370 shall be disclosed to the health care administrator or infection control coordinator of the department of corrections facility or the local jail that houses the offender or detainee. The legislature intends that these test results also be disclosed to any corrections or jail staff who have been substantially exposed to the bodily fluids of the offender or detainee when the disclosure is provided by a licensed health care provider in accordance with Washington Administrative Code rules governing employees' occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
(2) The legislature further finds that, through the efforts of health care professionals and corrections staff, offenders in department of corrections facilities and people detained in local jails are being encouraged to take responsibility for their health by requesting voluntary and anonymous pretest counseling, HIV testing, posttest counseling, and AIDS counseling. The legislature does not intend, through chapter 345, Laws of 1997, to mandate disclosure of the results of voluntary and anonymous tests. The legislature intends to continue to protect the confidential exchange of medical information related to voluntary and anonymous pretest counseling, HIV testing, posttest counseling, and AIDS counseling as provided by chapter 70.24 RCW." [ 1997 c 345 § 1.]
