HOUSE BILL 735

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Brian F. Egolf

AN ACT

RELATING TO FIREFIGHTERS; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE FREE ANNUAL SCREENINGS FOR CERTAIN PATHOGENS FOR FIREFIGHTERS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of the Public Health Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] FREE BLOOD TESTS FOR FIREFIGHTERS--EXCEPTION.--

          A. At no cost to a firefighter, the department shall provide an annual blood test to screen for the following pathogens:

                (1) human immunodeficiency virus;

                (2) hepatitis B; and

                (3) hepatitis C.

          B. As used in this section, "firefighter" means any full- or part-time member or a volunteer member of a fire department that is part of or administered by the state or any political subdivision of the state and any red-carded firefighter trained in wildland firefighting skills and hired by the state of New Mexico, with the exception of those individuals who do not have any contact with members of the public or volunteer members who are inactive."

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