An Act relative to public safety and public health worker protections

This bill establishes legal protections for public safety and public health workers, such as police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, who may be exposed to infectious diseases while treating patients. It mandates that these workers submit a standardized trip form to healthcare facilities upon arrival if they believe they have had unprotected exposure, triggering immediate testing of the patient and notification of the worker if the patient tests positive. The legislation also grants first responders the ability to petition a court to force a patient to provide a blood or bodily fluid specimen for testing if the patient refuses, while ensuring patient privacy is maintained throughout the process. Additionally, the bill explicitly shields hospitals and their staff from liability when they follow these reporting and testing procedures in good faith.