Board Policy

BP 4119.41

Certificated Personnel

Employees With Infectious Disease

The Board of Education encourages each employee to inform the district as soon as possible if he/she contracts an infectious disease which creates a physical or mental disability. The Board will reasonably accommodate the needs of such individuals.

The Board may reassign or grant disability leave to an employee who is unable to perform his/her job responsibilities because of illness or because the employee's illness significantly endangers his/her health or safety or the health or safety of others.

(cf. 4161.1/4361.1 - Personal Illness/Injury Leave)

(cf. 4261.1 - Personal Illness/Injury Leave)

No employee will be discriminated against because of his/her disability. Legal protections established for disabled persons extend to individuals significantly impaired by infectious diseases.

(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)

(cf. 4030 - Nondiscrimination in Employment)

(cf. 4112.4/4212.4/4312.4 - Health Examinations)

When informed that an employee has a disabling infectious disease, the Superintendent or designee may request that the employee sign a release form to provide confidential medical information and records.

In determining a reasonable accommodation of the employee's condition, the Superintendent or designee may consult with public health officials or physicians with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease. The Superintendent or designee may also communicate with the employee's physician regarding the employee's ability to perform the essential requirements of the job with reasonable accommodation and without posing significant health or safety risks to the employee or others.

The Superintendent or designee shall prepare a confidential report which includes his/her recommendation and the medical information upon which it is based. These recommendations shall take into consideration:

1. The nature of the disease and the probability of its being transmitted, including the duration and severity of the risk

2. The physical condition of the employee, including diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the condition

3. The actual requirements of the employee's job and the expected type of interaction with others in the school setting

This report shall be forwarded to the Board for confidential review and action.

The job assignment of an employee with a disabling infectious disease shall be reevaluated whenever there is a change in medical knowledge or in the employee's medical regimen or health which might affect his/her assignment.

Confidentiality

The Board and the Superintendent or designee shall ensure that employee rights to confidentiality are strictly observed. The district shall disclose medical record information only to the extent required or permitted by law. The medical records of any employee with a disabling infectious disease shall be held in strict confidence.

Legal Reference:

CIVIL CODE

56-56.37 Confidentiality of medical information

GOVERNMENT CODE

12900-12996 Fair Employment and Housing Act

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

120975-121020 Mandated blood testing and confidentiality to protect public health

CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 2

7293.5 et seq.

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29

701 et seq. Rehabilitation Act

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42

12101-12213 Americans With Disabilities Act

COURT DECISIONS

School Board of Nassau County, Fla. v. Arline, 408 U.S. 273 (1987)

Policy PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

adopted: February 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California