Of the 40 (80-percent return rate) responding agencies, 19 had developed written policies and specific directives for handling AIDS victims and/or others with communicable diseases. Most with formal policies had put a great deal of research into policy development, and most had used medical personnel in formulating policies. Of the 21 agencies without a written policy, 16 were planning directives. Of the agencies, 21 noted that employee groups had expressed concern about handling AIDS victims, although none had been subject to legal action or formal challenges over policy or lack of policy. Most frequently addressed topics in policies included contact with body fluids of AIDS victims, instructions for decontamination, warnings to avoid puncture wounds, availability and use of disposable gloves, and recognition of AIDS symptoms.