QLDIn ForceAct
Public Health Act 2005
sec.157ZARequirements for search requiring the removal of clothing
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### sec.157ZA Requirements for search requiring the removal of clothing
A search under section 157Y requiring the removal of clothing of a person must be carried out by at least 2 persons authorised to carry out the search, but by no more persons than are reasonably necessary to carry out the search.
To the extent reasonably practicable, the gender of each person carrying out the search (each a searcher ) must be the gender preferred by, or otherwise the same gender as, the person being searched.
Before carrying out the search, 1 of the searchers must tell the person—
that the person will be required to remove the person’s clothing during the search; and
why it is necessary to remove the clothing.
The searcher must—
ensure the search is carried out in a part of a building that ensures the person’s privacy; and
ensure, to the extent practicable, that the way in which the person is searched causes minimal embarrassment to the person; and
take reasonable care to protect the person’s dignity; and
carry out the search as quickly as reasonably practicable; and
allow the person to dress as soon as the search is finished.
The searcher must, if reasonably practicable, give the person the opportunity to remain partly clothed during the search, including, for example, by allowing the person to dress his or her upper body before being required to remove clothing from the lower part of the body.
If the searcher seizes clothing because of the search, the searcher must ensure the person is left with, or given, reasonably appropriate clothing.
In this section—
gender preferred , by the person being searched, see section 157Z (2) (a) (i) .
s 157ZA ins 2016 No. 5 s 921
amd 2024 No. 24 s 51
(sec.157ZA-ssec.1) A search under section 157Y requiring the removal of clothing of a person must be carried out by at least 2 persons authorised to carry out the search, but by no more persons than are reasonably necessary to carry out the search.
(sec.157ZA-ssec.2) To the extent reasonably practicable, the gender of each person carrying out the search (each a searcher ) must be the gender preferred by, or otherwise the same gender as, the person being searched.
(sec.157ZA-ssec.3) Before carrying out the search, 1 of the searchers must tell the person— that the person will be required to remove the person’s clothing during the search; and why it is necessary to remove the clothing.
(sec.157ZA-ssec.4) The searcher must— ensure the search is carried out in a part of a building that ensures the person’s privacy; and ensure, to the extent practicable, that the way in which the person is searched causes minimal embarrassment to the person; and take reasonable care to protect the person’s dignity; and carry out the search as quickly as reasonably practicable; and allow the person to dress as soon as the search is finished.
(sec.157ZA-ssec.5) The searcher must, if reasonably practicable, give the person the opportunity to remain partly clothed during the search, including, for example, by allowing the person to dress his or her upper body before being required to remove clothing from the lower part of the body.
(sec.157ZA-ssec.6) If the searcher seizes clothing because of the search, the searcher must ensure the person is left with, or given, reasonably appropriate clothing.
(sec.157ZA-ssec.7) In this section— gender preferred , by the person being searched, see section 157Z (2) (a) (i) .
- (a) that the person will be required to remove the person’s clothing during the search; and
- (b) why it is necessary to remove the clothing.
- (a) ensure the search is carried out in a part of a building that ensures the person’s privacy; and
- (b) ensure, to the extent practicable, that the way in which the person is searched causes minimal embarrassment to the person; and
- (c) take reasonable care to protect the person’s dignity; and
- (d) carry out the search as quickly as reasonably practicable; and
- (e) allow the person to dress as soon as the search is finished.