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CHAPTER 23-07.5BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN TESTING23-07.5-01. Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:1.&quot;Bloodborne pathogen&quot; means a microorganism that is present in human blood or in<br>other bodily fluid or tissue which can cause a disease in humans, including the<br>hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus, and the human immunodeficiency virus, and<br>for which testing is recommended by the United States public health service.2.&quot;Exposed individual&quot; means an individual, including a patient, health care provider,<br>firefighter, peace officer, correctional officer, court officer, law enforcement officer,<br>emergency medical technician, laboratory personnel, or an individual trained and<br>authorized by law or rule to render emergency medical assistance or treatment,<br>including an individual rendering aid under chapter 32-03.1, who is exposed to a<br>bloodborne pathogen.3.&quot;Exposure&quot; means a percutaneous injury, including a needle stick or cut with a sharp<br>object; contact with blood, bodily fluid, or tissue of a mucous membrane or nonintact<br>skin, including exposed skin that is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis; or<br>contact with other bodily fluids that are potentially infectious as determined under<br>guidelines of the United States public health service.4.&quot;Health care&quot; means any services included in the furnishing to an individual of<br>hospitalization, or medical or dental care, or any services incident to the furnishing of<br>that care or hospitalization, as well as the furnishing to an individual of any other<br>services for the purpose of preventing, alleviating, curing, or healing human illness<br>or injury.5.&quot;Health care provider&quot; means an individual licensed, certified, or otherwise<br>authorized by the law of this state to provide health care and includes personnel at<br>the state crime laboratory or any commercial or research laboratory that handles<br>blood, bodily fluid, or tissues.6.&quot;Informed consent for testing&quot; means that the individual to be tested for bloodborne<br>pathogens has been informed of the nature of the testing; the reason for the testing;<br>the relevant risks, benefits, and potential alternatives for testing; and the individual<br>has granted permission to be tested.7.&quot;Personal representative&quot; means any person who has authority under law to act on<br>behalf of an individual or deceased individual in making decisions related to health<br>care or health information.8.&quot;Test subject&quot; means the individual who is the source of the blood, other bodily<br>fluids, or tissue that caused the exposure.23-07.5-02. Informed consent for testing - Exception.1.Except when testing is otherwise permitted by law, a health care provider, blood<br>bank, blood center, or plasma center may not subject an individual who is the source<br>of an exposure to a test for bloodborne pathogens unless the subject of the test or<br>the subject's personal representative if the subject is a minor or is incapacitated first<br>provides informed consent for testing.2.If an individual who is the source of an exposure has had blood drawn that is<br>available for testing and the individual has refused to grant consent to have that<br>individual's blood tested for bloodborne pathogens, that individual's blood may be<br>subjected to a test for the presence of bloodborne pathogens, without thatPage No. 1individual's consent, if a physician or other qualified health care provider based on<br>available information determines and certifies in writing that the individual had an<br>exposure and before testing the test subject is informed that the test subject's blood<br>may be tested for the presence of bloodborne pathogens; that the test results may<br>not be disclosed without the test subject's authorization, except to the exposed<br>individual, the individual's health care provider, and any other person as authorized<br>by law; that if the exposed individual knows the identity of the test subject, the<br>exposed individual may not disclose the identity of the test subject except for the<br>purpose of having the test performed; and that a record of the test results may be<br>kept in the exposed individual's medical record only if the record does not reveal the<br>test subject's identity. Each exposed individual who had an exposure and to whom<br>test results are disclosed must first be given a document indicating the exposed<br>individual's understanding that the exposed individual may not disclose the test<br>subject's identity and that disclosing this information constitutes a class C felony.3.If an individual who is the subject of an exposure is incapable of giving informed<br>consent for testing under this section, that consent may be obtained from the<br>individual's personal representative.If an individual who is the subject of anexposure dies without an opportunity to consent to testing, collection of appropriate<br>specimens and testing for the presence of bloodborne pathogens must be<br>conducted as soon as reasonably possible. Results of these tests must be provided<br>to the physician providing care for the individual who experienced the exposure. If a<br>facility that received the individual who died fails to test for the presence of<br>bloodborne pathogens as required under this subsection because the facility was not<br>aware of the exposure or it was not reasonably possible to conduct testing, the<br>facility shall provide the physician providing care for the exposed individual or health<br>care provider testing results of any bloodborne pathogen present in any medical<br>records of the deceased individual which are in the facility's control as soon as<br>reasonably possible. If there are no testing results for bloodborne pathogens within<br>that facility and there is reason to believe that results are available from another<br>facility, the facility that received the deceased individual shall attempt to obtain<br>testing results of bloodborne pathogens of the deceased individual as soon as<br>reasonably possible from the facility where it is believed results exist.The testresults must be provided to the physician providing care for the individual who<br>experienced the exposure.4.A test for bloodborne pathogens must be conducted according to recommendations<br>of the United States public health service. Any testing done pursuant to subsection<br>2 or 3 must be conducted in a reasonably expedient manner. The district court in<br>the county where the alleged exposure occurred or in which the individual to be<br>tested resides shall issue an order directing the individual who was the source of an<br>exposure to have blood drawn to be tested for bloodborne pathogens. An affidavit<br>from a physician or other qualified health care provider showing that an exposure<br>has occurred is prima facie evidence of those facts.The affidavit may not beexcluded as hearsay if the affidavit is based on evidence generally relied on by a<br>health care provider, including statements from the provider's patient. The record of<br>any court hearing conducted under this subsection is confidential. The court shall<br>issue an order requiring testing under this subsection if:a.The court finds probable cause to believe that the individual petitioning for the<br>testing had an exposure with the test subject;b.The petition substitutes a pseudonym for the true name of the test subject;c.The court provides the test subject with notice and reasonable opportunity to<br>participate in the proceeding if the person is not already a party to the<br>proceeding;d.The proceedings are conducted in camera; andPage No. 2e.The court imposes appropriate safeguards against unauthorized disclosure<br>which must specify the individuals who have access to the information, the<br>purposes for which the information may be used, and appropriate prohibition on<br>future disclosure.5.If the court issues an order for testing, the court may order the confinement of the<br>test subject until blood is drawn for testing or issue an order establishing reasonable<br>security for the individual's attendance at the test site. This order may be modified<br>or extended.6.A health care provider who subjects an individual to an exposure must notify the<br>individual of the exposure.A health care provider witnessing an exposure mayreport the exposure pursuant to any appropriate facility or employer guidelines to<br>which the provider may be subject. The knowing failure to inform an individual of an<br>exposure or refusal to submit to testing as required under this chapter may be<br>considered by a health care provider's licensing board to constitute conduct that may<br>subject the licensee to disciplinary action.7.The exposed individual shall pay the expense of testing. However, if the exposure<br>occurs at an employee's workplace, the worker's employer shall pay the expense of<br>testing unless otherwise provided by subdivision b of subsection 10 of section<br>65-01-02.If the individual to be tested is convicted of a crime relating to theexposure or the exposure occurred during an arrest or other contact with the<br>exposed individual in the course of that individual's official duties, a court may order<br>the individual to be tested to pay for the testing.23-07.5-03. Written consent to disclosure. Repealed by S.L. 2003, ch. 211, <meta property="og:url" content="https://statutes.laws.com/test/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Statutes" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2019-12-27T23:25:16+00:00" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <h2>State Codes and Statutes</h2> <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/'>Statutes</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota'>North-dakota</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota/t23'>T23</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota/t23/t23c075'>T23c075</a><br><br><a href="https://law.justia.com/codes/north-dakota/2009/t23/pdf/t23c075.pdf">Download pdf</a><br><div id="embed_document" style="width:625px; height:815px; text-align:center;">Loading PDF...</div><script type="text/javascript"> var pdf_url = 'https://law.justia.com/codes/north-dakota/2009/t23/pdf/t23c075.pdf'; $(document).ready(function() { var embedwindow = $("#embed_document"); if ($.browser.msie){ embedwindow.html('<embed src="'+pdf_url+'" width="100%" height="100%"></embed>'); } else { embedwindow.html('<iframe style="width:100%; height:100%;" src="https://docs.google.com/gview?url='+window.escape(pdf_url)+'&embedded=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>'); } });</script><br><br><noframes>CHAPTER 23-07.5BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN TESTING23-07.5-01. Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:1.&quot;Bloodborne pathogen&quot; means a microorganism that is present in human blood or in<br>other bodily fluid or tissue which can cause a disease in humans, including the<br>hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus, and the human immunodeficiency virus, and<br>for which testing is recommended by the United States public health service.2.&quot;Exposed individual&quot; means an individual, including a patient, health care provider,<br>firefighter, peace officer, correctional officer, court officer, law enforcement officer,<br>emergency medical technician, laboratory personnel, or an individual trained and<br>authorized by law or rule to render emergency medical assistance or treatment,<br>including an individual rendering aid under chapter 32-03.1, who is exposed to a<br>bloodborne pathogen.3.&quot;Exposure&quot; means a percutaneous injury, including a needle stick or cut with a sharp<br>object; contact with blood, bodily fluid, or tissue of a mucous membrane or nonintact<br>skin, including exposed skin that is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis; or<br>contact with other bodily fluids that are potentially infectious as determined under<br>guidelines of the United States public health service.4.&quot;Health care&quot; means any services included in the furnishing to an individual of<br>hospitalization, or medical or dental care, or any services incident to the furnishing of<br>that care or hospitalization, as well as the furnishing to an individual of any other<br>services for the purpose of preventing, alleviating, curing, or healing human illness<br>or injury.5.&quot;Health care provider&quot; means an individual licensed, certified, or otherwise<br>authorized by the law of this state to provide health care and includes personnel at<br>the state crime laboratory or any commercial or research laboratory that handles<br>blood, bodily fluid, or tissues.6.&quot;Informed consent for testing&quot; means that the individual to be tested for bloodborne<br>pathogens has been informed of the nature of the testing; the reason for the testing;<br>the relevant risks, benefits, and potential alternatives for testing; and the individual<br>has granted permission to be tested.7.&quot;Personal representative&quot; means any person who has authority under law to act on<br>behalf of an individual or deceased individual in making decisions related to health<br>care or health information.8.&quot;Test subject&quot; means the individual who is the source of the blood, other bodily<br>fluids, or tissue that caused the exposure.23-07.5-02. Informed consent for testing - Exception.1.Except when testing is otherwise permitted by law, a health care provider, blood<br>bank, blood center, or plasma center may not subject an individual who is the source<br>of an exposure to a test for bloodborne pathogens unless the subject of the test or<br>the subject's personal representative if the subject is a minor or is incapacitated first<br>provides informed consent for testing.2.If an individual who is the source of an exposure has had blood drawn that is<br>available for testing and the individual has refused to grant consent to have that<br>individual's blood tested for bloodborne pathogens, that individual's blood may be<br>subjected to a test for the presence of bloodborne pathogens, without thatPage No. 1individual's consent, if a physician or other qualified health care provider based on<br>available information determines and certifies in writing that the individual had an<br>exposure and before testing the test subject is informed that the test subject's blood<br>may be tested for the presence of bloodborne pathogens; that the test results may<br>not be disclosed without the test subject's authorization, except to the exposed<br>individual, the individual's health care provider, and any other person as authorized<br>by law; that if the exposed individual knows the identity of the test subject, the<br>exposed individual may not disclose the identity of the test subject except for the<br>purpose of having the test performed; and that a record of the test results may be<br>kept in the exposed individual's medical record only if the record does not reveal the<br>test subject's identity. Each exposed individual who had an exposure and to whom<br>test results are disclosed must first be given a document indicating the exposed<br>individual's understanding that the exposed individual may not disclose the test<br>subject's identity and that disclosing this information constitutes a class C felony.3.If an individual who is the subject of an exposure is incapable of giving informed<br>consent for testing under this section, that consent may be obtained from the<br>individual's personal representative.If an individual who is the subject of anexposure dies without an opportunity to consent to testing, collection of appropriate<br>specimens and testing for the presence of bloodborne pathogens must be<br>conducted as soon as reasonably possible. Results of these tests must be provided<br>to the physician providing care for the individual who experienced the exposure. If a<br>facility that received the individual who died fails to test for the presence of<br>bloodborne pathogens as required under this subsection because the facility was not<br>aware of the exposure or it was not reasonably possible to conduct testing, the<br>facility shall provide the physician providing care for the exposed individual or health<br>care provider testing results of any bloodborne pathogen present in any medical<br>records of the deceased individual which are in the facility's control as soon as<br>reasonably possible. If there are no testing results for bloodborne pathogens within<br>that facility and there is reason to believe that results are available from another<br>facility, the facility that received the deceased individual shall attempt to obtain<br>testing results of bloodborne pathogens of the deceased individual as soon as<br>reasonably possible from the facility where it is believed results exist.The testresults must be provided to the physician providing care for the individual who<br>experienced the exposure.4.A test for bloodborne pathogens must be conducted according to recommendations<br>of the United States public health service. Any testing done pursuant to subsection<br>2 or 3 must be conducted in a reasonably expedient manner. The district court in<br>the county where the alleged exposure occurred or in which the individual to be<br>tested resides shall issue an order directing the individual who was the source of an<br>exposure to have blood drawn to be tested for bloodborne pathogens. An affidavit<br>from a physician or other qualified health care provider showing that an exposure<br>has occurred is prima facie evidence of those facts.The affidavit may not beexcluded as hearsay if the affidavit is based on evidence generally relied on by a<br>health care provider, including statements from the provider's patient. The record of<br>any court hearing conducted under this subsection is confidential. The court shall<br>issue an order requiring testing under this subsection if:a.The court finds probable cause to believe that the individual petitioning for the<br>testing had an exposure with the test subject;b.The petition substitutes a pseudonym for the true name of the test subject;c.The court provides the test subject with notice and reasonable opportunity to<br>participate in the proceeding if the person is not already a party to the<br>proceeding;d.The proceedings are conducted in camera; andPage No. 2e.The court imposes appropriate safeguards against unauthorized disclosure<br>which must specify the individuals who have access to the information, the<br>purposes for which the information may be used, and appropriate prohibition on<br>future disclosure.5.If the court issues an order for testing, the court may order the confinement of the<br>test subject until blood is drawn for testing or issue an order establishing reasonable<br>security for the individual's attendance at the test site. This order may be modified<br>or extended.6.A health care provider who subjects an individual to an exposure must notify the<br>individual of the exposure.A health care provider witnessing an exposure mayreport the exposure pursuant to any appropriate facility or employer guidelines to<br>which the provider may be subject. The knowing failure to inform an individual of an<br>exposure or refusal to submit to testing as required under this chapter may be<br>considered by a health care provider's licensing board to constitute conduct that may<br>subject the licensee to disciplinary action.7.The exposed individual shall pay the expense of testing. However, if the exposure<br>occurs at an employee's workplace, the worker's employer shall pay the expense of<br>testing unless otherwise provided by subdivision b of subsection 10 of section<br>65-01-02.If the individual to be tested is convicted of a crime relating to theexposure or the exposure occurred during an arrest or other contact with the<br>exposed individual in the course of that individual's official duties, a court may order<br>the individual to be tested to pay for the testing.23-07.5-03. Written consent to disclosure. 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class="shortcode-content"> <h2>State Codes and Statutes</h2> <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/'>Statutes</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota'>North-dakota</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota/t23'>T23</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota/t23/t23c075'>T23c075</a><br><br><a href="https://law.justia.com/codes/north-dakota/2009/t23/pdf/t23c075.pdf">Download pdf</a><br><div id="embed_document" style="width:625px; height:815px; text-align:center;">Loading PDF...</div><script type="text/javascript"> var pdf_url = 'https://law.justia.com/codes/north-dakota/2009/t23/pdf/t23c075.pdf'; $(document).ready(function() { var embedwindow = $("#embed_document"); if ($.browser.msie){ embedwindow.html('<embed src="'+pdf_url+'" width="100%" height="100%"></embed>'); } else { embedwindow.html('<iframe style="width:100%; height:100%;" src="https://docs.google.com/gview?url='+window.escape(pdf_url)+'&embedded=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>'); } });</script><br><br><noframes>CHAPTER 23-07.5BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN TESTING23-07.5-01. Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:1.&quot;Bloodborne pathogen&quot; means a microorganism that is present in human blood or in<br>other bodily fluid or tissue which can cause a disease in humans, including the<br>hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus, and the human immunodeficiency virus, and<br>for which testing is recommended by the United States public health service.2.&quot;Exposed individual&quot; means an individual, including a patient, health care provider,<br>firefighter, peace officer, correctional officer, court officer, law enforcement officer,<br>emergency medical technician, laboratory personnel, or an individual trained and<br>authorized by law or rule to render emergency medical assistance or treatment,<br>including an individual rendering aid under chapter 32-03.1, who is exposed to a<br>bloodborne pathogen.3.&quot;Exposure&quot; means a percutaneous injury, including a needle stick or cut with a sharp<br>object; contact with blood, bodily fluid, or tissue of a mucous membrane or nonintact<br>skin, including exposed skin that is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis; or<br>contact with other bodily fluids that are potentially infectious as determined under<br>guidelines of the United States public health service.4.&quot;Health care&quot; means any services included in the furnishing to an individual of<br>hospitalization, or medical or dental care, or any services incident to the furnishing of<br>that care or hospitalization, as well as the furnishing to an individual of any other<br>services for the purpose of preventing, alleviating, curing, or healing human illness<br>or injury.5.&quot;Health care provider&quot; means an individual licensed, certified, or otherwise<br>authorized by the law of this state to provide health care and includes personnel at<br>the state crime laboratory or any commercial or research laboratory that handles<br>blood, bodily fluid, or tissues.6.&quot;Informed consent for testing&quot; means that the individual to be tested for bloodborne<br>pathogens has been informed of the nature of the testing; the reason for the testing;<br>the relevant risks, benefits, and potential alternatives for testing; and the individual<br>has granted permission to be tested.7.&quot;Personal representative&quot; means any person who has authority under law to act on<br>behalf of an individual or deceased individual in making decisions related to health<br>care or health information.8.&quot;Test subject&quot; means the individual who is the source of the blood, other bodily<br>fluids, or tissue that caused the exposure.23-07.5-02. Informed consent for testing - Exception.1.Except when testing is otherwise permitted by law, a health care provider, blood<br>bank, blood center, or plasma center may not subject an individual who is the source<br>of an exposure to a test for bloodborne pathogens unless the subject of the test or<br>the subject's personal representative if the subject is a minor or is incapacitated first<br>provides informed consent for testing.2.If an individual who is the source of an exposure has had blood drawn that is<br>available for testing and the individual has refused to grant consent to have that<br>individual's blood tested for bloodborne pathogens, that individual's blood may be<br>subjected to a test for the presence of bloodborne pathogens, without thatPage No. 1individual's consent, if a physician or other qualified health care provider based on<br>available information determines and certifies in writing that the individual had an<br>exposure and before testing the test subject is informed that the test subject's blood<br>may be tested for the presence of bloodborne pathogens; that the test results may<br>not be disclosed without the test subject's authorization, except to the exposed<br>individual, the individual's health care provider, and any other person as authorized<br>by law; that if the exposed individual knows the identity of the test subject, the<br>exposed individual may not disclose the identity of the test subject except for the<br>purpose of having the test performed; and that a record of the test results may be<br>kept in the exposed individual's medical record only if the record does not reveal the<br>test subject's identity. Each exposed individual who had an exposure and to whom<br>test results are disclosed must first be given a document indicating the exposed<br>individual's understanding that the exposed individual may not disclose the test<br>subject's identity and that disclosing this information constitutes a class C felony.3.If an individual who is the subject of an exposure is incapable of giving informed<br>consent for testing under this section, that consent may be obtained from the<br>individual's personal representative.If an individual who is the subject of anexposure dies without an opportunity to consent to testing, collection of appropriate<br>specimens and testing for the presence of bloodborne pathogens must be<br>conducted as soon as reasonably possible. Results of these tests must be provided<br>to the physician providing care for the individual who experienced the exposure. If a<br>facility that received the individual who died fails to test for the presence of<br>bloodborne pathogens as required under this subsection because the facility was not<br>aware of the exposure or it was not reasonably possible to conduct testing, the<br>facility shall provide the physician providing care for the exposed individual or health<br>care provider testing results of any bloodborne pathogen present in any medical<br>records of the deceased individual which are in the facility's control as soon as<br>reasonably possible. If there are no testing results for bloodborne pathogens within<br>that facility and there is reason to believe that results are available from another<br>facility, the facility that received the deceased individual shall attempt to obtain<br>testing results of bloodborne pathogens of the deceased individual as soon as<br>reasonably possible from the facility where it is believed results exist.The testresults must be provided to the physician providing care for the individual who<br>experienced the exposure.4.A test for bloodborne pathogens must be conducted according to recommendations<br>of the United States public health service. Any testing done pursuant to subsection<br>2 or 3 must be conducted in a reasonably expedient manner. The district court in<br>the county where the alleged exposure occurred or in which the individual to be<br>tested resides shall issue an order directing the individual who was the source of an<br>exposure to have blood drawn to be tested for bloodborne pathogens. An affidavit<br>from a physician or other qualified health care provider showing that an exposure<br>has occurred is prima facie evidence of those facts.The affidavit may not beexcluded as hearsay if the affidavit is based on evidence generally relied on by a<br>health care provider, including statements from the provider's patient. The record of<br>any court hearing conducted under this subsection is confidential. The court shall<br>issue an order requiring testing under this subsection if:a.The court finds probable cause to believe that the individual petitioning for the<br>testing had an exposure with the test subject;b.The petition substitutes a pseudonym for the true name of the test subject;c.The court provides the test subject with notice and reasonable opportunity to<br>participate in the proceeding if the person is not already a party to the<br>proceeding;d.The proceedings are conducted in camera; andPage No. 2e.The court imposes appropriate safeguards against unauthorized disclosure<br>which must specify the individuals who have access to the information, the<br>purposes for which the information may be used, and appropriate prohibition on<br>future disclosure.5.If the court issues an order for testing, the court may order the confinement of the<br>test subject until blood is drawn for testing or issue an order establishing reasonable<br>security for the individual's attendance at the test site. This order may be modified<br>or extended.6.A health care provider who subjects an individual to an exposure must notify the<br>individual of the exposure.A health care provider witnessing an exposure mayreport the exposure pursuant to any appropriate facility or employer guidelines to<br>which the provider may be subject. The knowing failure to inform an individual of an<br>exposure or refusal to submit to testing as required under this chapter may be<br>considered by a health care provider's licensing board to constitute conduct that may<br>subject the licensee to disciplinary action.7.The exposed individual shall pay the expense of testing. However, if the exposure<br>occurs at an employee's workplace, the worker's employer shall pay the expense of<br>testing unless otherwise provided by subdivision b of subsection 10 of section<br>65-01-02.If the individual to be tested is convicted of a crime relating to theexposure or the exposure occurred during an arrest or other contact with the<br>exposed individual in the course of that individual's official duties, a court may order<br>the individual to be tested to pay for the testing.23-07.5-03. Written consent to disclosure. 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