HB 5773 Summary

• Expands infectious agent testing requirements for emergency patients to include Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in addition to existing HIV and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) testing protocols.

• Requires health facilities to notify police officers, firefighters, licensed medical personnel, and other individuals who assisted or transported emergency patients if those patients test positive for any of the three infectious agents (HIV, HBV, or HCV).

• Allows first responders and medical personnel who sustain needle stick injuries or other blood/body fluid exposures to request testing of emergency patients for all three infectious agents (HIV, HBV, and HCV) by submitting a written form to the health facility before patient discharge.

• Mandates health facilities provide notification within 2 days of test results and maintain strict confidentiality of patient identity and test results, with violations constituting a misdemeanor offense.

• Adds definitions for HCV and HCV infection (positive HCV antibodies or positive RNA test) and makes conforming language changes from "shall" to "must" throughout the statute.