the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Act 2007 (SA) will allow police to require a blood test from a person suspected of biting, scratching, or otherwise transferring bodily fluid to another person, such as a frontline worker.

a senior police officer will be able to authorise the blood test order without needing to wait for a magistrate’s warrant.

the person tested will have their blood checked for communicable diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

the results will be shared with the exposed worker or victim, to help guide urgent medical treatment and support.

refusal to comply with a police order for a blood test will be an offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment (penalty levels to be set in the Act).

safeguards will apply so that blood test results cannot be used for unrelated criminal investigations and are only disclosed for medical purposes.