REGINA, Sask. — Amendments to the Mandatory Testing and Disclosure (Bodily Substances) Act have been introduced in the Saskatchewan Legislature.
According to Sask. Justice the changes will better protect police officers, first responders, and victims of crime who may be exposed to another person's bodily substances.
The Mandatory Testing and Disclosure (Bodily Substances) Act currently allows certain individuals who are at risk of infectious disease due to exposure to another person's bodily substances to apply to the Court of King's Bench for an order requiring the source individual, as defined in the Act, to undergo testing. The proposed amendments will provide quicker access to testing orders and results, and promote compliance with testing orders, while maintaining appropriate privacy protections, the ministry says.
According to Sask. Justice, timely test results are important for exposed individuals when determining appropriate treatment options. In some cases, treatment decisions must be made within a short time frame following exposure.
“The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP) thanks the Government of Saskatchewan for listening to the concerns raised by public safety officials regarding timely access to information following exposure to bodily substances,” SACP President Chief Davies said.
“This information allows front-line personnel to make informed decisions in regard to their health, safety, and well-being.”
The current Act maintains existing privacy protections for source individuals, including court oversight of the application process, and confidentiality rules that prohibit improper use or disclosure of test results.
