Saskatchewan introduces faster testing orders after first responders exposed to bodily substances

Saskatchewan introduced legislation on Thursday that would give police officers and other first responders faster access to court-ordered testing when they are exposed to another person's bodily substances, the province said in a news release.

The proposed amendments to the Mandatory Testing and Disclosure (Bodily Substances) Act would shorten the time it takes to obtain testing orders and receive results, and would promote compliance with those orders, while keeping existing privacy protections in place, the release said.

Under the current act, individuals at risk of infectious disease due to exposure can apply to the Court of King's Bench for an order requiring the source individual to undergo testing. The amendments are intended to address concerns that the existing process is too slow for first responders who may need to make treatment decisions within hours of an exposure.

"By introducing these amendments, the Government of Saskatchewan is providing timely access to testing orders and results," Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod said in the release. "We want to ensure those exposed to potentially infectious bodily substances can receive timely information to inform medical treatment decisions."

Community Safety Minister Michael Weger said the changes follow consultations with police services and frontline partners. "These amendments reflect our government's ongoing collaboration with police services and frontline partners to address concerns that have been raised about the current process," Weger said.

The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police said it welcomes the move. "This information allows front-line personnel to make informed decisions in regard to their health, safety, and wellbeing," SACP President Chief Davies said in the release.

The release did not specify a timeline for the bill's passage through the Legislative Assembly.