NY Vol Fire Ben L § 11-C (2021)
2021 New York Laws VOL - Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Article 2 - Coverage and Benefits 11-C - Medical Examination of Volunteer Firefighters to Detect and Identify the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv).

* §  11-c. Medical examination of volunteer firefighters to detect and   identify the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 1. Whenever a volunteer   firefighter has been exposed to a significant risk  of  transmission  of   the  human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) while performing services in the   line of duty, the executive officer of the fire  company  of  which  the   volunteer  firefighter  is  a  member  shall  authorize  such  volunteer   firefighter to obtain an appropriate medical examination to determine if   such volunteer firefighter has been exposed  to  or  infected  with  the   human  immunodeficiency  virus  (HIV).  Such  medical  examination  of a   volunteer  firefighter  shall  be  authorized  within  eight  hours   of   notification  to the executive officer of the fire company of which such   volunteer firefighter is a member of an incident  that  has  created  an   exposure risk to the volunteer firefighter.2.  Should  it  be  determined  by  the  examining  physician or other   attending health care worker that a significant risk of transmission has   occurred, or should any medical examination conclude  that  a  volunteer   firefighter  has been exposed to or infected with human immunodeficiency   virus (HIV), then such volunteer firefighter shall be offered counseling   and additional testing, as appropriate  and  consistent  with  treatment   guidelines  issued  by  the  commissioner of health. Such counseling may   include a discussion of the  risk  of  the  transmission  of  the  human   immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from the exposure the volunteer firefighter   may  have  experienced  and the spectrum of tests commercially available   for the prompt and reliable diagnosis  of  such  infection.  Information   from  any  such  medical examination of a volunteer firefighter shall be   confidential information  pursuant  to  article  twenty-seven-F  of  the   public  health  law  and shall not be made available to the fire company   without the written authorization of the affected volunteer firefighter.3. Payment for medical  examinations,  additional  testing,  treatment   services,   counseling  services,  and  any  other  additional  services   provided pursuant to this section shall be a covered benefit under  this   chapter.4.  For  the  purposes  of this section, the term "significant risk of   transmission" means the alleged conduct or actions taken by a victim  or   patient  or  any  other  action,  situation or event that occurs while a   volunteer firefighter is performing services in the line  of  duty  that   has  created  a  recognized  and  significant  risk  of  infection  of a   volunteer firefighter with the human immunodeficiency  virus  (HIV),  as   determined  by  the  commissioner of health, consistent with guidelines,   protocols, and findings of the United States centers for disease control   and prevention.5. For purposes  of  this  section,  the  term  "medical  examination"   includes  a  physical  examination  or  test performed by a physician or   other appropriate  health  care  worker  to  determine  if  a  volunteer   firefighter   has   been   exposed   to   or   infected   by  the  human   immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Tests may include, but not be limited  to,   the  most  accurate,  sensitive, and timely tests available used for the   early identification of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).6. The commissioner of health shall issue guidelines to facilitate the   identification  of  circumstances  potentially  exposing   a   volunteer   firefighter   to  a  significant  risk  of  transmission  of  the  human   immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Such guidelines shall be  consistent  with   criteria  accepted  by  the  federal  centers  for  disease  control and   prevention. Such guidelines shall  also  provide  information  regarding   related counseling and testing procedures available to such individuals.7. Any information gathered pursuant to the provisions of this section   which  is  deemed confidential under any other provision of law shall be   treated in a confidential manner. * NB There are 2 § 11-c's