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Senate approves testing authority to protect law enforcement and first responders
Summary
The Senate passed a substitute to SB 5006 that allows testing of individuals who may have exposed law enforcement or first responders to COVID‑19, removing initial proposed criminal penalties and focusing on testing to limit unnecessary quarantines of officers.
Senators approved a first substitute to SB 5006 aimed at giving law enforcement and other first responders a method to confirm exposures to COVID‑19 and reduce unnecessary quarantines.
Sponsor explained earlier drafts included penalties but those were removed after consultation; the substitute focuses on the ability to obtain testing where a reasonable person finds an individual posed an exposure risk to officers. "We have 400 officers in the state of Utah who have been affected by the virus either in isolation or asked not to come to work," a proponent said, arguing testing could reduce hours lost to precautionary quarantine.
Backers said the provision does not create new criminal penalties but would allow officers to pursue testing through existing court procedures when necessary. Supporters described the change as a practical tool to keep first responders on duty and to determine whether exposure warrants continued isolation.
The Senate passed the first substitute and will transmit the bill to the House.
