MANDATORY TESTING LEGISLATION PROCLAIMED

The Mandatory Testing and Disclosure (Bodily Substances) Act has been proclaimed in force effective today.

This Act protects emergency service workers (police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics), Good Samaritans and victims of crime from the fear and uncertainty experienced following exposure to bodily fluids.

"This new legislation will help protect the men and women who protect us, by addressing the stress and uncertainty of not knowing whether they have contracted a fatal or debilitating disease," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said. "We want to provide peace of mind to good Samaritans and victims of crime as well."

The legislation will address the situation where an emergency service worker, Good Samaritan or victim of crime is exposed to another person's blood or bodily fluid and believes that person may have an infectious disease and that person refuses to be tested voluntarily. The legislation will set out a court guided process for the source person to be tested on a confidential basis.

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For More Information, Contact:

Andrew Dinsmore Justice Regina Phone: (306) 787-8606