23-1043.03. Hepatitis C; establishing exposure; definition

A. A claim for a condition, infection, disease or disability involving or related to hepatitis C shall include the occurrence of a significant exposure as defined in this section and, except as provided in subsection B of this section, shall be processed and determined under this chapter and applicable principles of law.

B. Notwithstanding any other law, an employee who satisfies the following conditions presents a prima facie claim for a condition, infection, disease or disability involving or related to hepatitis C if the medical evidence shows to a reasonable degree of medical probability that the employee sustained a significant exposure within the meaning of this section:

1. The employee's regular course of employment involves handling of or exposure to blood or body fluids, other than tears, saliva or perspiration, including health care providers as defined in section 36-661, forensic laboratory workers, fire fighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and correctional officers.

2. Within ten calendar days after a possible significant exposure that arises out of and in the course of his employment, the employee reports in writing to the employer the details of the exposure. The employer shall notify its insurance carrier or claims processor of the report. Failure of the employer to notify the insurance carrier is not a defense to a claim by the employee.

3. The employee has blood drawn within ten days after the possible significant exposure, the blood is tested for hepatitis C by antibody testing within thirty days after the exposure and the test results are negative.

4. The employee is tested or diagnosed, according to clinical standards established by the centers for disease control of the United States public health service, as positive for the presence of hepatitis C within seven months after the date of the possible significant exposure.

C. On presentation or showing of a prima facie claim under this section, the employer may produce specific, relevant and probative evidence to dispute the underlying facts, to contest whether the exposure was significant as defined in this section, or to establish an alternative significant exposure involving the presence of hepatitis C.

D. A person alleged to be a source of a significant exposure shall not be compelled by subpoena or other court order to release confidential hepatitis C related information either by document or by oral testimony. Evidence of the alleged source's hepatitis C status may be introduced by either party if the alleged source knowingly and willingly consents to the release of that information.

E. Notwithstanding title 36, chapter 6, article 4, medical information regarding the employee obtained by a physician or surgeon is subject to section 23-908, subsection D.

F. The commission by rule shall prescribe requirements and forms regarding employee notification of the requirements of this section and the proper documentation of a significant exposure.

G. For the purposes of this section, " significant exposure" means contact of an employee's ruptured or broken skin or mucous membrane or other significant unbroken surface area with a person's blood or body fluids, other than tears, saliva or perspiration, of a magnitude that the centers for disease control have epidemiologically demonstrated can result in transmission of hepatitis C. For purposes of filing a claim under this section, significant exposure does not include sexual activity or illegal drug use.