Ohio § 3707.57

§ 3707.57.

(A) As used in this section: (1) “ Bloodborne pathogens ” means the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C

virus. (2) “ Board of health ” means the board of health of a city or general health district or the authority

having the duties of a board of health under section 3709.05 of the Revised Code . (B) A board of health may establish a bloodborne infectious disease prevention program.  The cost of the program is the responsibility of the board of health. (C) A board of health that establishes a bloodborne infectious disease prevention program

shall determine the manner in which the program is operated and the individuals who

are eligible to participate.  The program shall do all of the following: (1) If resources are available, provide on-site screening for bloodborne pathogens; (2) Provide education to each program participant regarding exposure to bloodborne pathogens; (3) Identify health and supportive services providers and substance abuse treatment programs

available in the area served by the prevention program and, as appropriate, develop

and enter into referral agreements with the identified providers and programs; (4) Encourage each program participant to seek appropriate medical care, mental health

services, substance abuse treatment, or social services and, as appropriate, make

referrals to health and supportive services providers and substance abuse treatment

programs with which the prevention program has entered into referral agreements; (5) Use a recordkeeping system that ensures that the identity of each program participant

remains anonymous; (6) Comply with applicable state and federal laws governing participant confidentiality; (7) Provide each program participant with documentation identifying the individual as

an active participant in the program. (D) A bloodborne infectious disease prevention program may collect demographic information

about each program participant, including the zip code applicable to the participant's

address, and the participant's comorbidity diagnosis, if any.  The program may report the information to the department of mental health and addiction

services. (E)(1) Before establishing a bloodborne infectious disease prevention program, the board

of health shall consult with all of the following: (a) Interested parties from the health district represented by the board, including all

of the following: (i) Law enforcement representatives; (ii) Prosecutors, as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code ; (iii) Representatives of community addiction services providers whose alcohol and drug

addiction services are certified under section 5119.36 of the Revised Code ; (iv) Persons recovering from substance abuse; (v) Relevant private, nonprofit organizations, including hepatitis C and HIV advocacy

organizations; (vi) Residents of the health district; (vii) The board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services that serves the

area in which the health district is located. (b) Representatives selected by the governing authority of the city, village, or township

in which the program is proposed to be established. (2) If the board of health, after consulting with the interested parties and representatives

listed in division (D)(1) of this section, decides to establish a bloodborne infectious

disease prevention program, the board shall provide written notice of the proposed

location to the governing authority of the city, village, or township in which the

program is to be located.  The governing authority retains all zoning rights. (F)(1) If carrying out a duty under a component of a bloodborne infectious disease prevention

program would be considered a violation of any of the following, an employee or volunteer

of the program, when carrying out the duty, is not subject to criminal prosecution

for the violation: (a) Section 2923.24 of the Revised Code ; (b) Section 2925.12 of the Revised Code ; (c) Division (C)(1) of section 2925.14 of the Revised Code regarding the prohibition against illegal possession of drug paraphernalia; (d) Division (C) or (D) of section 3719.172 of the Revised Code regarding the prohibition against furnishing a hypodermic needle to another person. (2) If participating in a component of a bloodborne infectious disease prevention program

would be considered a violation of any of the following, a program participant who

is within one thousand feet of a program facility and is in possession of documentation

from the program identifying the individual as an active participant in the program

is not subject to criminal prosecution for the violation: (a) Section 2923.24 of the Revised Code ; (b) Section 2925.12 of the Revised Code ; (c) Division (C)(1) of section 2925.14 of the Revised Code regarding the prohibition against illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. (G) A board of health that establishes a bloodborne infectious disease prevention program

shall include details about the program in its annual report prepared under section 3707.47 of the Revised Code .