Texas § HS.85.116 - TESTING AND COUNSELING FOR STATE EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO HIV INFECTION ON THE JOB

§ HS.85.116. TESTING AND COUNSELING FOR STATE EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO HIV INFECTION ON THE JOB

TESTING AND COUNSELING FOR STATE EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO HIV INFECTION ON THE JOB. (a) On an employee's request, a state agency shall pay the costs of testing and counseling an employee of that agency concerning HIV infection if: (1) the employee documents to the agency's satisfaction that the employee may have been exposed to HIV while performing duties of employment with that agency; and (2) the employee was exposed to HIV in a manner that the United States Public Health Service has determined is capable of transmitting HIV. (b) The executive commissioner by rule shall prescribe the criteria that constitute possible exposure to HIV under this section. The criteria must be based on activities the United States Public Health Service determines pose a risk of HIV infection. (c) For the purpose of qualifying for workers' compensation or any other similar benefits or compensation, an employee who claims a possible work-related exposure to HIV infection must provide the employer with a written statement of the date and circumstances of the exposure and document that, within 10 days after the date of the exposure, the employee had a test result that indicated an absence of HIV infection. (d) The cost of a state employee's testing and counseling shall be paid from funds appropriated for payment of workers' compensation benefits to state employees. The State Office of Risk Management shall adopt rules necessary to administer this subsection. (e) Counseling or a test conducted under this section must conform to the model protocol on HIV counseling and testing prescribed by the department. (f) A state employee who may have been exposed to HIV while performing duties of state employment may not be required to be tested. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 36, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219 ), Sec. 3.0287, eff. April 2, 2015. SUBCHAPTER G. POLICIES OF CORRECTIONAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDERS