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STATUS:
S5841   HANNON
Public Health Law
TITLE....Creates the state emergency health powers act

11/30/01	REFERRED TO RULES

BILL TEXT:

                STATE OF NEW YORK

       ________________________________________________________________________

                                         5841

                              2001-2002 Regular Sessions

                    IN SENATE

                                   November 30, 2001

                                      ___________

       Introduced  by  Sens.  HANNON, SEWARD -- read twice and ordered printed,

         and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules

       AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the state emergen-

         cy health powers act

         The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and  Assem-

       bly, do enact as follows:

    1    Section  1.    In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001,

    2  our nation has come to the realization that  the  government's  foremost

    3  responsibility  is  to protect the health, safety, and well being of its

    4  citizens. New and  emerging  dangers-including  emergent  and  resurgent

    5  infectious diseases and incidents of civilian mass casualties-pose seri-

    6  ous  and  immediate  threats  to  the population. A renewed focus on the

    7  prevention, detection, management,  and  containment  of  public  health

    8  emergencies is thus called for.

    9    Emergency  health  threats, including those caused by bioterrorism and

   10  epidemics, require the exercise of  extraordinary government  functions.

   11  Because each state is responsible for safeguarding the health, security,

   12  and well being of its people, state governments must be able to respond,

   13  rapidly  and  effectively, to potential or actual public health emergen-

   14  cies. The state emergency health powers act, hereby known  as  the  act,

   15  therefore grants specific emergency powers to state governors and public

   16  health authorities.

   17    The  act authorizes the collection of data and records, the control of

   18  property, the management of persons, and access  to  communications.  It

   19  facilitates  the  early  detection of a health emergency, and allows for

   20  immediate investigation by granting access to individuals' health infor-

   21  mation under specified circumstances. Under the act, state officials are

   22  authorized to use and appropriate property as necessary  for  the  care,

   23  treatment,  and  housing of patients, and for the destruction of contam-

   24  inated materials. They are also empowered to provide care and  treatment

   25  to  persons  who  are  ill or who have been exposed to infection, and to

        EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                                  LBD14067-02-1

 

       S. 5841                             2

 

    1  separate affected individuals from  the  population  at  large  for  the

    2  purpose  of interrupting the transmission of infectious disease.  Final-

    3  ly, the act requires the development of a comprehensive plan to  provide

    4  a  coordinated,  appropriate  response  in  the event of a public health

    5  emergency.

    6    At the same time, the act recognizes that a state's ability to respond

    7  to a public health emergency must respect  the  dignity  and  rights  of

    8  persons.  The exercise of emergency health powers is designed to promote

    9  the common good. Emergency powers must be grounded in a thorough  scien-

   10  tific  understanding  of public health threats and disease transmission.

   11  Guided by principles of justice, states have a duty to act with fairness

   12  and tolerance towards individuals and  groups.  The  act  thus  provides

   13  that,  in  the  event  of  the  exercise  of emergency powers, the civil

   14  rights, liberties, and needs of infected  or  exposed  persons  will  be

   15  protected given the primary goal of controlling serious health threats.

   16    Public  health  laws  and  our  courts have traditionally balanced the

   17  common good with individual civil liberties. As Justice Harlan wrote  in

   18  the  seminal  United States Supreme Court case of Jacobson v.  Massachu-

   19  setts, "the whole people covenants with each citizen, and  each  citizen

   20  with  the  whole  people, that all shall be governed by certain laws for

   21  the 'common good.'" The act strikes such a balance.  It  provides  state

   22  officials with the ability to prevent, detect, manage, and contain emer-

   23  gency  health  threats  without unduly interfering with civil rights and

   24  liberties. The act ensures a strong, effective, and timely  response  to

   25  public  health emergencies, while fostering respect for individuals from

   26  all groups and backgrounds.

   27    § 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new  article  10  to

   28  read as follows:

   29                                 ARTICLE 10

   30                      STATE EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS ACT

   31  Title I. Findings, purposes and definitions (§§ 1000-1003).

   32        II.  Measures  to  detect  and track potential and existing public

   33             health emergencies (§§ 1010-1012).

   34        III. Declaring state of public health emergency (§§ 1020-1024).

   35        IV. Special  powers  during  state  of  public  health  emergency;

   36             control of property (§§ 1030-1036).

   37        V. Special powers during state of public health emergency; control

   38             of persons (§§ 1040-1046).

   39        VI.  Public  information  regarding  public health emergencies (§§

   40             1050-1051).

   41        VII. Planning for public health emergency (§§ 1060-1061).

   42        VIII. Miscellaneous (§§ 1070-1076).

   43                                   TITLE I

   44                     FINDINGS, PURPOSES AND DEFINITIONS

   45  Section 1000. Short title.

   46          1001. Legislative findings.

   47          1002. Purposes.

   48          1003. Definitions.

   49    § 1000. Short title. This act may be cited  as  the  "state  emergency

   50  health powers act."

   51    § 1001. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that:

   52    1.  The  government  must  do  more to protect the health, safety, and

   53  general well being of our citizens.

   54    2. New and emerging dangers -- including emergent and resurgent infec-

   55  tious diseases and incidents of civilian mass casualties -- pose serious

   56  and immediate threats.

 

       S. 5841                             3

 

    1    3. A renewed focus  on  the  prevention,  detection,  management,  and

    2  containment of public health emergencies is called for.

    3    4.  Emergency  health  threats, including those caused by bioterrorism

    4  and epidemics, require the exercise of  extraordinary  government  func-

    5  tions.

    6    5.  This  state  must  have the ability to respond, rapidly and effec-

    7  tively, to potential or actual public health emergencies.

    8    6. The exercise of emergency health powers  must  promote  the  common

    9  good.

   10    7.  Emergency  health powers must be grounded in a thorough scientific

   11  understanding of public health threats and disease transmission.

   12    8. Guided by principles of justice, it is the duty of the state to act

   13  with fairness and tolerance towards individuals and groups.

   14    9. The rights of people to liberty, bodily integrity, and privacy must

   15  be respected to the fullest extent possible consistent with the overrid-

   16  ing importance of the public's health and security.

   17    10. This act is necessary to protect the  health  and  safety  of  the

   18  citizens of the state.

   19    § 1002. Purposes. The purposes of this act are:

   20    1.  To  authorize  the  collection of data and records, the control of

   21  property, the management of persons, and access to communications.

   22    2. To facilitate the early detection of a health emergency, and  allow

   23  for  immediate  investigation of such an emergency by granting access to

   24  individuals' health information under specified circumstances.

   25    3. To grant state officials the authority to use and appropriate prop-

   26  erty as necessary for the care, treatment, and housing of patients,  and

   27  for the destruction of contaminated materials.

   28    4.  To  grant state officials the authority to provide care and treat-

   29  ment to persons who are ill or who have been exposed to  infection,  and

   30  to  separate  affected  individuals from the population at large for the

   31  purpose of interrupting the transmission of infectious disease.

   32    5. To ensure that the needs of infected or  exposed  persons  will  be

   33  addressed  to  the  fullest  extent  possible, given the primary goal of

   34  controlling serious health threats.

   35    6. To provide state officials with the  ability  to  prevent,  detect,

   36  manage,  and contain emergency health threats without unduly interfering

   37  with civil rights and liberties.

   38    7. To require the development of a comprehensive plan to provide for a

   39  coordinated, appropriate response in the event of a public health  emer-

   40  gency.

   41    § 1003. Definitions. For the purposes of this article:

   42    1.  "Bioterrorism"  means  the  intentional  use of any microorganism,

   43  virus, infectious substance, or biological product  that  may  be  engi-

   44  neered  as  a  result  of  biotechnology,  or any naturally occurring or

   45  bioengineered component of any  such  microorganism,  virus,  infectious

   46  substance,  or  biological  product,  to  cause death, disease, or other

   47  biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant, or another living

   48  organism in order to influence the conduct of government  or  to  intim-

   49  idate or coerce a civilian population.

   50    2.  "Chain of custody" means the methodology of tracking specimens for

   51  the purpose of  maintaining  control  and  accountability  from  initial

   52  collection  to  final  disposition  of  the  specimens and providing for

   53  accountability at each stage of collecting, handling, testing,  storing,

   54  and transporting the specimens and reporting test results.

   55    3. "Contagious disease" means an infectious disease that can be trans-

   56  mitted from person to person, animal to person, or insect to person.

 

       S. 5841                             4

 

    1    4. "Health care facility" means any non-federal institution, building,

    2  or  agency  or portion thereof, whether public or private (for-profit or

    3  nonprofit) that  is  used,  operated,  or  designed  to  provide  health

    4  services,  medical  treatment, or nursing, rehabilitative, or preventive

    5  care  to  any  person  or persons. This includes, but is not limited to:

    6  ambulatory surgical facilities, health maintenance  organizations,  home

    7  health  agencies,  hospices,  hospitals,  infirmaries, intermediate care

    8  facilities, kidney treatment centers, long term care facilities, medical

    9  assistance facilities, mental  health  centers,  outpatient  facilities,

   10  public health centers, rehabilitation facilities, residential treatments

   11  facilities,  skilled nursing facilities, and adult day-care centers. The

   12  term also includes, but is not limited to, the following related proper-

   13  ty when used for or in  connection  with  the  foregoing:  laboratories;

   14  research  facilities;  pharmacies;  laundry facilities; health personnel

   15  training and lodging facilities; patient, guest,  and  health  personnel

   16  food  service  facilities;  and offices and office buildings for persons

   17  engaged in health care professions or services.

   18    5. "Health care provider" means any  person  or  entity  who  provides

   19  health  care  services including, but not limited to, hospitals, medical

   20  clinics and offices,  special  care  facilities,  medical  laboratories,

   21  physicians,  pharmacists,  dentists, physician assistants, nurse practi-

   22  tioners, registered and other nurses, paramedics, emergency  medical  or

   23  laboratory technicians, and ambulance and emergency medical workers.

   24    6.  "Infectious  disease" means a disease caused by a living organism.

   25  An infectious disease may, or may not, be transmissible from  person  to

   26  person, animal to person, or insect to person.

   27    7. "Infectious waste" means:

   28    (a)  "biological  waste,"  which  includes  blood  and blood products,

   29  excretions, exudates, secretions, suctioning and other body fluids,  and

   30  waste materials saturated with blood or body fluids;

   31    (b) "cultures and stocks," which includes etiologic agents and associ-

   32  ated  biologicals,  including  specimen  cultures and dishes and devices

   33  used to transfer, inoculate, and mix cultures, wastes from production of

   34  biologicals and serums, and discarded live and attenuated vaccines;

   35    (c) "pathological waste," which  includes  biopsy  materials  and  all

   36  human  tissues,  anatomical parts that emanate from surgery, obstetrical

   37  procedures, autopsy  and  laboratory  procedures  and  animal  carcasses

   38  exposed  to  pathogens  in research and the bedding and other waste from

   39  such animals, but does not include teeth or formaldehyde or other  pres-

   40  ervative agents; and

   41    (d) "sharps," which includes needles, IV tubing with needles attached,

   42  scalpel  blades, lancets, glass tubes that could be broken during handl-

   43  ing, and syringes that have been removed  from  their  original  sterile

   44  containers.

   45    8.  "Isolation"  and  "quarantine"  mean the compulsory physical sepa-

   46  ration (including the restriction of movement or confinement)  of  indi-

   47  viduals  and/or groups believed to have been exposed to or known to have

   48  been infected  with  a  contagious  disease  from  individuals  who  are

   49  believed  not  to  have been exposed or infected, in order to prevent or

   50  limit the transmission of the disease to others.

   51    9. "Mental health support personnel" includes, but is not limited  to,

   52  psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and volunteer crisis coun-

   53  seling groups.

   54    10.  "Protected  health  information"  means  any information, whether

   55  oral, written, electronic, visual, pictorial,  physical,  or  any  other

   56  form,  that relates to an individual's past, present, or future physical

 

       S. 5841                             5

 

    1  or  mental  health  status,  condition,  treatment,  service,   products

    2  purchase,  or  provision  of  care, and that reveals the identity of the

    3  individual whose health care is the subject of the information, or where

    4  there  is  a  reasonable  basis  to  believe  such  information could be

    5  utilized (either alone or with other  information  that  is,  or  should

    6  reasonably  be  known to be, available to predictable recipients of such

    7  information) to reveal the identity of that individual.

    8    11. "Department" means the department of health.

    9    12. "Public health emergency" means an occurrence or  imminent  threat

   10  of  an  illness or health condition, caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or

   11  pandemic disease, or novel and highly fatal infectious agent or  biolog-

   12  ical  toxin,  that  poses  a substantial risk of a significant number of

   13  human fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. Such

   14  illness or health condition includes, but is not limited to, an  illness

   15  or health condition resulting from a natural disaster.

   16    13. "Specimens" include, but are not limited to, blood, sputum, urine,

   17  stool,  other  bodily fluids, wastes, tissues, and cultures necessary to

   18  perform required tests.

   19    14. "Tests" include, but are not limited to, any diagnostic or  inves-

   20  tigative  analyses necessary to prevent the spread of disease or protect

   21  the public's health, safety, and welfare.

 

   22                                  TITLE II

   23         MEASURES TO DETECT AND TRACK POTENTIAL AND EXISTING PUBLIC

   24                             HEALTH EMERGENCIES

   25  Section 1010. Reporting.

   26          1011. Tracking.

   27          1012. Information sharing.

 

   28    § 1010. Reporting. 1. Illness  or  health  condition.  A  health  care

   29  provider, coroner, or medical examiner shall report all cases of persons

   30  who harbor any illness or health condition that may be caused by bioter-

   31  rorism,  epidemic  or pandemic disease, or novel and highly fatal infec-

   32  tious agents or biological toxins and might pose a substantial risk of a

   33  significant number of human fatalities  or  incidents  of  permanent  or

   34  long-term   disability.   Reportable  illnesses  and  health  conditions

   35  include, but are not limited to, the diseases caused by  the  biological

   36  agents  listed  in  42  C.F.R.  §  72, app. A(2000) and any illnesses or

   37  health conditions identified by the public health authority as potential

   38  causes of a public health emergency.

   39    2. Pharmacists. In addition to the forgoing  requirements  for  health

   40  care  providers,  a  pharmacist  shall  report  any unusual or increased

   41  prescription rates, unusual types of prescriptions, or unusual trends in

   42  pharmacy visits that may be caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic

   43  disease, or novel and  highly  fatal  infectious  agents  or  biological

   44  toxins  and  might  pose  a  substantial risk of a significant number of

   45  human fatalities or incidents  of  permanent  or  long-term  disability.

   46  Prescription-related  events  that require a report include, but are not

   47  limited to:

   48    (a) an unusual increase in the number of prescriptions to treat fever,

   49  respiratory, or gastrointestinal complaints;

   50    (b) an unusual increase in the number of prescriptions  for  antibiot-

   51  ics;

   52    (c)  an  unusual increase in the number of requests for information on

   53  over-the-counter  pharmaceuticals  to  treat  fever,   respiratory,   or

   54  gastrointestinal complaints; and

 

       S. 5841                             6

 

    1    (d) any prescription that treats a disease that is relatively uncommon

    2  and has bioterrorism potential.

    3    3.  Manner  of  reporting.  The report shall be made in writing within

    4  twenty-four hours to the department. The report shall include as much of

    5  the following information as is available: the patient's name,  date  of

    6  birth,  sex,  race, and current address (including city and county); the

    7  name and address of the health care provider, coroner, or medical  exam-

    8  iner and of the reporting individual, if different; and any other infor-

    9  mation  needed to locate the patient for follow-up. For cases related to

   10  animal or insect bites, the suspected locating information of the biting

   11  animal or insect, and the name and address of any known owner, shall  be

   12  reported.

   13    4.  Animal  diseases.  Every veterinarian, livestock owner, veterinary

   14  diagnostic laboratory director, or  other  person  having  the  care  of

   15  animals  shall  report animals having or suspected of having any disease

   16  that may be caused by bioterrorism, epidemic  or  pandemic  disease,  or

   17  novel  and highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins and might

   18  pose a substantial risk of a significant  number  of  human  and  animal

   19  fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. The report

   20  shall  be made in writing within twenty-four hours to the department and

   21  shall include as much of the following information as is available:  the

   22  suspected  locating  information  of the animal, the name and address of

   23  any known owner, and the name and address of the reporting individual.

   24    5. Laboratories. For the purposes of this section, the  definition  of

   25  "health  care provider" shall include out-of-state medical laboratories,

   26  provided that such laboratories have agreed to  the  reporting  require-

   27  ments  of  this  state.  Results must be reported by the laboratory that

   28  performs the test, but an in-state laboratory that sends specimens to an

   29  out-of-state laboratory is also responsible for reporting results.

   30    6. Enforcement. The department may  enforce  the  provisions  of  this

   31  section in accordance with existing enforcement rules and regulations.

   32    §  1011.  Tracking.  The  department  shall ascertain the existence of

   33  cases of an illness or health condition, caused by bioterrorism, epidem-

   34  ic or pandemic disease, or novel and highly fatal  infectious  agent  or

   35  biological  toxin, that poses a substantial risk of a significant number

   36  of human fatalities or incidents of permanent or  long-term  disability;

   37  investigate  all  such cases for sources of infection and to ensure that

   38  they are subject to proper control measures; and define the distribution

   39  of the illness or health condition. To fulfill these duties, the depart-

   40  ment shall identify exposed individuals as follows:

   41    1. Identification of individuals. Acting on information  developed  in

   42  accordance with section ten hundred ten of this title, or other reliable

   43  information,  the  department  shall identify all individuals thought to

   44  have been exposed to an illness or health condition, caused  by  bioter-

   45  rorism,  epidemic  or pandemic disease, or novel and highly fatal infec-

   46  tious agents or biological toxins, that poses a substantial  risk  of  a

   47  significant  number  of  human  fatalities  or incidents of permanent or

   48  long-term disability.

   49    2. Interviewing of  individuals.  The  department  shall  counsel  and

   50  interview  such  individuals  as  appropriate  to assist in the positive

   51  identification of exposed individuals and develop  information  relating

   52  to the source and spread of the illness or health condition. Such infor-

   53  mation  includes the name and address (including city and county) of any

   54  person  from  whom  the  illness  or  health  condition  may  have  been

   55  contracted and to whom the illness or health condition may have spread.

 

       S. 5841                             7

 

    1    3.  Examination  of facilities or materials. The department shall, for

    2  examination purposes, close, evacuate, or decontaminate any facility  or

    3  decontaminate  or  destroy  any  material  when the authority reasonably

    4  suspects that such facility or material may endanger the public health.

    5    4.  Enforcement.  An  order  of the department given to effectuate the

    6  purposes of this section shall be enforceable immediately by the depart-

    7  ment.

    8    § 1012. Information sharing.   Sharing of  information  on  reportable

    9  illnesses,  health  conditions,  unusual  clusters, or suspicious events

   10  between authorized personnel of the department shall  be  restricted  to

   11  information  necessary  for  the  treatment, control, investigation, and

   12  prevention of a public health emergency.

   13                                   TITLE III

   14                 DECLARING STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

   15  Section 1020. Standards for declaration.

   16          1021. Procedures for declaration.

   17          1022. Effect of declaration.

   18          1023. Enforcement.

   19          1024. Termination of declaration.

   20    § 1020. Standards for declaration. A state of public health  emergency

   21  shall be declared by the governor if the governor finds an occurrence or

   22  imminent  threat of an illness or health condition, caused by bioterror-

   23  ism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or novel and highly fatal  infectious

   24  agents  or biological toxins, that poses a substantial risk of a signif-

   25  icant number of human fatalities or incidents of permanent or  long-term

   26  disability.  To make such a finding, the governor shall consult with the

   27  department and may consult with any public health and other  experts  as

   28  needed.  Nothing in the duty of the governor to consult with the depart-

   29  ment or the discretion to consult with public health  or  other  experts

   30  shall be construed to limit the governor's authority to act without such

   31  consultation when the situation calls for prompt and timely action.

   32    §  1021.  Procedures for declaration. The state of public health emer-

   33  gency shall be declared by an executive order that indicates the  nature

   34  of  the  public health emergency, the area that is or may be threatened,

   35  and the conditions that have brought about the public health emergency.

   36    § 1022. Effect of declaration. The declaration of a  state  of  public

   37  health  emergency  shall  activate  the  disaster  response and recovery

   38  aspects of the state, local, and inter-jurisdictional disaster emergency

   39  plans in the affected area. Such declaration authorizes  the  deployment

   40  and  use  of any forces to which the plans apply and the use or distrib-

   41  ution of any supplies, equipment, and materials  and  facilities  assem-

   42  bled,  stockpiled,  or  arranged  to  be made available pursuant to this

   43  article.

   44    1. Emergency powers. During a state of public  health  emergency,  the

   45  governor may:

   46    (a)  Suspend  the  provisions  of  any  regulatory statute prescribing

   47  procedures for conducting state business, or the orders, rules and regu-

   48  lations of any state agency, if strict compliance with  the  same  would

   49  prevent,   hinder,   or  delay  necessary  action  (including  emergency

   50  purchases) by the department to respond to the public health  emergency,

   51  and increase the health threat to the population.

   52    (b)  Utilize all available resources of the state government and poli-

   53  tical subdivisions of the state as reasonably necessary  to  respond  to

   54  the public health emergency.

 

       S. 5841                             8

 

    1    (c)  Transfer  the direction, personnel, or functions of state depart-

    2  ments and agencies  to  perform  or  facilitate  response  and  recovery

    3  programs regarding the public health emergency.

    4    (d)  Mobilize all or any part of the organized militia into service of

    5  the state. An order directing the organized militia to report for active

    6  duty shall state the purpose for which it is mobilized  and  the  objec-

    7  tives to be accomplished.

    8    (e)  Provide  aid to and seek aid from other states in accordance with

    9  any interstate emergency compact made with this state.

   10    2. Coordination. The department shall coordinate all matters  pertain-

   11  ing to the public health emergency response of the state. The department

   12  shall have primary jurisdiction, responsibility, and authority for:

   13    (a)  Planning  and executing public health emergency assessment, miti-

   14  gation, preparedness response, and recovery for the state;

   15    (b) Coordinating public health emergency response  between  state  and

   16  local authorities;

   17    (c)   Collaborating  with  relevant  federal  government  authorities,

   18  elected officials of other states,  private  organizations,  or  private

   19  sector companies;

   20    (d) Coordinating recovery operations and mitigation initiatives subse-

   21  quent to public health emergencies; and

   22    (e)  Organizing  public  information activities regarding state public

   23  health emergency response operations.

   24    3. Identification. After the declaration of a state of  public  health

   25  emergency,  special  identification  for all employees of the department

   26  working during the emergency shall be issued as soon  as  possible.  The

   27  identification  shall  indicate  the authority of the bearer to exercise

   28  public health functions and emergency powers during the state of  public

   29  health emergency. Employees of the department shall wear the identifica-

   30  tion in plain view.

   31    §  1023.  Enforcement.  During a state of public health emergency, the

   32  department may request assistance in enforcing orders pursuant  to  this

   33  article.  The department may request assistance from the organized mili-

   34  tia in enforcing the orders in accordance with this article.

   35    § 1024. Termination of declaration. 1. Executive order.  The  governor

   36  shall  terminate the state of public health emergency by executive order

   37  upon finding that the occurrence  of  an  illness  or  health  condition

   38  caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or novel and high-

   39  ly  fatal  infectious  agents  or  biological  toxins  no longer poses a

   40  substantial risk of a significant number of human  fatalities  or  inci-

   41  dents  of  permanent or long-term disability or that the imminent threat

   42  of such an occurrence has passed.

   43    2. Automatic termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of  this

   44  article, a state of public health emergency shall be terminated automat-

   45  ically  thirty days after its declaration unless renewed by the governor

   46  under the same standards and procedures set forth in this  title  for  a

   47  declaration  of  a  state  of  public health emergency. Any such renewal

   48  shall also be terminated automatically after thirty days unless  renewed

   49  by  the  governor  under  the same standards and procedures set forth in

   50  this title for a declaration of a state of public health emergency.

   51    3. State legislature. The state legislature may terminate a  state  of

   52  public  health  emergency  after  sixty  days  from the date of original

   53  declaration upon finding that the occurrence of  an  illness  or  health

   54  condition caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or novel

   55  and  highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins no longer poses

   56  a substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or  inci-

 

       S. 5841                             9

 

    1  dents  of  permanent or long-term disability or that the imminent threat

    2  of such an occurrence has passed. Such termination by the state legisla-

    3  ture shall override any renewal by the governor.

    4    4.  Content  of  termination  order. All orders terminating a state of

    5  public health emergency shall indicate the nature of the emergency,  the

    6  area  that  was  threatened,  and  the conditions that make possible the

    7  termination of the state of public health emergency.

    8                                   TITLE IV

    9                    SPECIAL POWERS DURING STATE OF PUBLIC

   10                    HEALTH EMERGENCY; CONTROL OF PROPERTY

   11  Section 1030. Emergency measures  concerning  dangerous  facilities  and

   12                  materials.

   13          1031. Access to and control of facilities and property.

   14          1032. Safe disposal of infectious waste.

   15          1033. Safe disposal of corpses.

   16          1034. Control of health care supplies.

   17          1035. Compensation.

   18          1036. Destruction of property.

   19    § 1030. Emergency measures concerning dangerous facilities and materi-

   20  als. The department may exercise, for such period as the state of public

   21  health  emergency exists, the following powers over dangerous facilities

   22  or materials:

   23    1. Facilities. To close, direct and compel the evacuation  of,  or  to

   24  decontaminate  or cause to be decontaminated any facility of which there

   25  is reasonable cause to believe that it may endanger the public health.

   26    2. Materials. To decontaminate  or  cause  to  be  decontaminated,  or

   27  destroy  any material of which there is reasonable cause to believe that

   28  it may endanger the public health.

   29    § 1031. Access to and control of facilities and property. The  depart-

   30  ment  may  exercise, for such period as the state of public health emer-

   31  gency exists, the following  powers  concerning  facilities,  materials,

   32  roads, or public areas:

   33    1.  Use  of  facilities  and materials. To procure, by condemnation or

   34  otherwise, construct, lease, transport, store,  maintain,  renovate,  or

   35  distribute  materials  and facilities as may be reasonable and necessary

   36  for emergency response, with the  right  to  take  immediate  possession

   37  thereof.  Such materials and facilities include, but are not limited to,

   38  communication devices, carriers, real estate, fuels, food, clothing, and

   39  health care facilities.

   40    2. Use of health care facilities. To compel a health care facility  to

   41  provide  services or the use of its facility if such services or use are

   42  reasonable and necessary for emergency response. The use of  the  health

   43  care facility may include transferring the management and supervision of

   44  the  health  care  facility to the department for a limited or unlimited

   45  period of time, but shall not exceed the termination  of  the  state  of

   46  public health emergency.

   47    3. Control of materials. To control, restrict, and regulate by ration-

   48  ing  and  using  quotas,  prohibitions on shipments, price fixing, allo-

   49  cation or other means,  the  use,  sale,  dispensing,  distribution,  or

   50  transportation  of food, fuel, clothing and other commodities, alcoholic

   51  beverages, firearms, explosives, and combustibles, as may be  reasonable

   52  and necessary for emergency response.

   53    4.  Control of roads and public areas.  (a) To prescribe routes, modes

   54  of transportation, and destinations in  connection  with  evacuation  of

   55  persons or the provision of emergency services.

 

       S. 5841                            10

 

    1    (b)  To control ingress and egress to and from any stricken or threat-

    2  ened public area, the movement of persons within the area, and the occu-

    3  pancy of premises therein, if such action is  reasonable  and  necessary

    4  for emergency response.

    5    §  1032.  Safe  disposal of infectious waste. The department may exer-

    6  cise, for such period as the state of public  health  emergency  exists,

    7  the following powers regarding the safe disposal of infectious waste:

    8    1.  Adopt  measures.  To adopt and enforce measures to provide for the

    9  safe disposal of infectious waste as may be reasonable and necessary for

   10  emergency response. Such measures may include, but are not  limited  to,

   11  the  collection,  storage, handling, destruction, treatment, transporta-

   12  tion, and disposal of infectious waste.

   13    2. Control of facilities. To compel any business or  facility  author-

   14  ized  to  collect, store, handle, destroy, treat, transport, and dispose

   15  of infectious waste under the laws of this state, and any landfill busi-

   16  ness or other such property, to  accept  infectious  waste,  or  provide

   17  services  or  the  use  of  the  business, facility, or property if such

   18  action is reasonable and necessary for emergency response.  The  use  of

   19  the business, facility, or property may include transferring the manage-

   20  ment  and  supervision  of  such  business, facility, or property to the

   21  department for a limited or unlimited period  of  time,  but  shall  not

   22  exceed the termination of the state of public health emergency.

   23    3.  Use  of  facilities. To procure, by condemnation or otherwise, any

   24  business or facility authorized  to  collect,  store,  handle,  destroy,

   25  treat, transport, and dispose of infectious waste under the laws of this

   26  state and any landfill business or other such property as may be reason-

   27  able  and necessary for emergency response, with the right to take imme-

   28  diate possession thereof.

   29    4. Identification. All bags, boxes, or other containers for infectious

   30  waste shall be clearly identified as containing infectious waste.

   31    § 1033. Safe disposal of corpses. The  department  may  exercise,  for

   32  such  period as the state of public health emergency exists, the follow-

   33  ing powers regarding the safe disposal of corpses:

   34    1. Adopt measures. To adopt and enforce measures to  provide  for  the

   35  safe disposal of corpses as may be reasonable and necessary for emergen-

   36  cy  response.  Such  measures  may  include, but are not limited to, the

   37  embalming, burial, cremation, interment,  disinterment,  transportation,

   38  and disposal of corpses.

   39    2. Possession. To take possession or control of any corpse.

   40    3.  Disposal.  To order the disposal of any corpse of a person who has

   41  died of an infectious disease through burial or cremation  within  twen-

   42  ty-four hours after death.

   43    4.  Control  of facilities. To compel any business or facility author-

   44  ized to embalm, bury, cremate, inter, disinter, transport,  and  dispose

   45  of  corpses under the laws of this state to accept any corpse or provide

   46  the use of its business or facility if such actions are  reasonable  and

   47  necessary  for  emergency  response. The use of the business or facility

   48  may include transferring the management and supervision of such business

   49  or facility to the department for a limited or unlimited period of time,

   50  but shall not exceed the termination of the state of public health emer-

   51  gency.

   52    5. Use of facilities. To procure, by condemnation  or  otherwise,  any

   53  business  or  facility  authorized  to  embalm,  bury,  cremate,  inter,

   54  disinter, transport, and dispose of corpses under the laws of this state

   55  as may be reasonable and necessary  for  emergency  response,  with  the

   56  right to take immediate possession thereof.

 

       S. 5841                            11

 

    1    6.  Labeling.  Every corpse prior to disposal shall be clearly labeled

    2  with all available information to identify the decedent and the  circum-

    3  stances  of  death.  Any  corpse of a deceased person with an infectious

    4  disease shall have an external, clearly visible tag indicating that  the

    5  corpse is infected and, if known, the infectious disease.

    6    7.  Identification.  Every person in charge of disposing of any corpse

    7  shall maintain a written record of each corpse and all available  infor-

    8  mation  to  identify  the  decedent  and  the circumstances of death and

    9  disposal.  If a corpse cannot be identified, prior to disposal a  quali-

   10  fied  person shall, to the extent possible, take fingerprints and one or

   11  more photographs of the corpse, and collect a DNA specimen. All informa-

   12  tion gathered under this subdivision shall be promptly forwarded to  the

   13  department.

   14    §  1034.  Control of health care supplies. 1. Procurement. The depart-

   15  ment may purchase and distribute anti-toxins, serums, vaccines, immuniz-

   16  ing agents, antibiotics, and  other  pharmaceutical  agents  or  medical

   17  supplies  that  it  deems  advisable in the interest of preparing for or

   18  controlling a public health emergency, without any  additional  legisla-

   19  tive authorization.

   20    2.  Rationing.  If  a  state  of  public health emergency results in a

   21  statewide or regional shortage or threatened  shortage  of  any  product

   22  covered  by subdivision one of this section, whether or not such product

   23  has been purchased  by  the  department,  the  department  may  control,

   24  restrict,  and  regulate  by rationing and using quotas, prohibitions on

   25  shipments, price fixing, allocation  or  other  means,  the  use,  sale,

   26  dispensing,  distribution,  or  transportation  of  the relevant product

   27  necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of  the  people  of

   28  the  state.  In  making rationing or other supply and distribution deci-

   29  sions, the department may give  preference  to  health  care  providers,

   30  disaster response personnel, and mortuary staff.

   31    3.  Distribution.  During  a  state  of  public  health emergency, the

   32  department may procure, store, or distribute  any  anti-toxins,  serums,

   33  vaccines,  immunizing  agents,  antibiotics,  and  other  pharmaceutical

   34  agents or medical supplies located within the state as may be reasonable

   35  and necessary for emergency response, with the right to  take  immediate

   36  possession  thereof. If a public health emergency simultaneously affects

   37  more than one state, nothing in this section shall be construed to allow

   38  the department  to  obtain  anti-toxins,  serums,  vaccines,  immunizing

   39  agents, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies

   40  for  the primary purpose of hoarding such items or preventing their fair

   41  and equitable distribution among affected states.

   42    § 1035. Compensation. The state shall pay  just  compensation  to  the

   43  owner  of  any facilities or materials that are lawfully taken or appro-

   44  priated by the department for its temporary or permanent use under  this

   45  title according to the procedures and standards set forth in section one

   46  thousand  seventy-three  of  title  eight  of this article. Compensation

   47  shall not be provided for facilities or materials that are closed, evac-

   48  uated, decontaminated, or destroyed when there is  reasonable  cause  to

   49  believe that they may endanger the public health pursuant to section one

   50  thousand thirty of this title.

   51    § 1036. Destruction of property. To the extent practicable, consistent

   52  with  the  protection  of public health, prior to the destruction of any

   53  property under this title, the department  shall  institute  appropriate

   54  civil  proceedings  against  the  property to be destroyed in accordance

   55  with the existing laws and rules of the courts of this state or any such

   56  rules that may be developed by the department for use during a state  of

 

       S. 5841                            12

 

    1  public health emergency. Any property acquired by the department through

    2  such  proceedings  shall,  after  entry of the decree, be disposed of by

    3  destruction as the court may direct.

 

    4                                   TITLE V

    5     SPECIAL POWERS DURING STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY; CONTROL OF

    6                                   PERSONS

    7  Section 1040. Control of individuals.

    8          1041. Mandatory medical examinations.

    9          1042. Isolation and quarantine.

   10          1043. Vaccination and treatment.

   11          1044. Collection of laboratory specimens.

   12          1045. Access and disclosure of patient records.

   13          1046. Licensing and appointment of department personnel.

   14    §  1040. Control of individuals. During a state of public health emer-

   15  gency, the department shall use every available  means  to  prevent  the

   16  transmission  of  infectious  disease  and  to  ensure that all cases of

   17  infectious disease are subject to proper control and treatment.

   18    § 1041. Mandatory medical examinations. The department  may  exercise,

   19  for  such  period  as  the  state of public health emergency exists, the

   20  following emergency powers over persons:

   21    1. Individual examination or testing. To compel a person to submit  to

   22  a  physical examination and/or testing as necessary to diagnose or treat

   23  the person.

   24    (a) The medical examination and/or testing may  be  performed  by  any

   25  qualified person authorized by the department.

   26    (b)  The  medical  examination  and/or  testing must not be reasonably

   27  likely to result in serious harm to the affected individual.

   28    (c) The medical examination and/or testing shall  be  performed  imme-

   29  diately  upon  the order of the department without resort to judicial or

   30  quasi-judicial authority.

   31    (d) Any person refusing to submit to the  medical  examination  and/or

   32  testing  is  liable  for  a  misdemeanor. If the department is uncertain

   33  whether a person who refuses to undergo medical examination and/or test-

   34  ing may have been exposed to an infectious disease or otherwise poses  a

   35  danger  to  public  health, the department may subject the individual to

   36  isolation or quarantine as provided in this title.

   37    2. Health care provider assistance. To require any physician or  other

   38  health  care provider to perform the medical examination and/or testing.

   39  Any violation of this subdivision shall be a misdemeanor.

   40    3. Enforcement. An order of the department  given  to  effectuate  the

   41  purposes  of  this  subdivision  shall be immediately enforceable by any

   42  peace officer.

   43    § 1042. Isolation and quarantine. 1. State policy and  powers.  It  is

   44  the  policy  of  the  state  that  the  individual dignity of any person

   45  isolated or quarantined during a state of public health emergency  shall

   46  be  respected  at all times and upon all occasions. The needs of persons

   47  isolated or quarantined shall be addressed in a systematic and competent

   48  fashion. To the extent possible,  the  premises  in  which  persons  are

   49  isolated  or  quarantined  shall  be  maintained  in  safe  and hygienic

   50  manners, designed to minimize the likelihood of further transmission  of

   51  infection  or  other harm to persons subject to isolation or quarantine.

   52  Adequate food, clothing, medication, and other necessities,  and  compe-

   53  tent  medical  care  shall be provided. Consistent with this policy, the

   54  department may exercise, for such period as the state of  public  health

   55  emergency exists, the following emergency powers over persons:

 

       S. 5841                            13

 

    1    (a) To establish and maintain places of isolation and quarantine; and

    2    (b)  To  require  isolation  or  quarantine of any person by the least

    3  restrictive means necessary to protect the public health. All reasonable

    4  means shall be taken to prevent the transmission of infection among  the

    5  isolated or quarantined individuals.

    6    2. Individual cooperation. A person subject to isolation or quarantine

    7  shall  obey  the department's rules and regulations, shall not go beyond

    8  the isolation or quarantine premises,  and  shall  not  put  himself  or

    9  herself  in  contact with any person not subject to isolation or quaran-

   10  tine other than a physician or other health care  provider,  department,

   11  or person authorized to enter an isolation or quarantine premises by the

   12  department. A violation of this subdivision shall be a misdemeanor.

   13    3.  Unauthorized  entry.  No person, other than a person authorized by

   14  the department, shall enter an isolation or quarantine premises. If  any

   15  person  enters an isolation or quarantine premises without permission by

   16  the department, that person shall be guilty of  a  misdemeanor.  If,  by

   17  reason  of  an  unauthorized entry into an isolation or quarantine prem-

   18  ises, the person poses a danger to public  health,  he  or  she  may  be

   19  subject  to  isolation  or quarantine pursuant to the provisions of this

   20  title.

   21    4. Termination. Isolation or quarantine of any person shall be  termi-

   22  nated  when  the department determines that such isolation or quarantine

   23  of such person is no longer necessary to protect the public health.

   24    5. Due process. (a) Before isolating or  quarantining  a  person,  the

   25  department  shall  obtain a written, ex parte order from a court of this

   26  state authorizing such action. The court shall  grant  such  order  upon

   27  finding that probable cause exists to believe isolation or quarantine is

   28  warranted  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of this article. A copy of the

   29  authorizing order shall be given to the person isolated or  quarantined,

   30  along  with notification that the person has a right to a hearing pursu-

   31  ant to the provisions of this subdivision.

   32    (b)  Notwithstanding  the  preceding  paragraph,  the  department  may

   33  isolate  or  quarantine  a  person without first obtaining a written, ex

   34  parte order from the court if any delay in the isolation  or  quarantine

   35  of  the  person  would  pose  an  immediate threat to the public health.

   36  Following such isolation or quarantine, the  department  shall  promptly

   37  obtain  a  written,  ex  parte  order  from  the  court  authorizing the

   38  isolation or quarantine.

   39    (c) A person isolated or quarantined pursuant  to  the  provisions  of

   40  paragraph (a) or (b) of this subdivision shall have the right to a court

   41  hearing  to  contest  the  ex  parte order. If such person or his or her

   42  representative requests a hearing, the  hearing  shall  be  held  within

   43  seventy-two  hours  of  receipt  of  such  request, excluding Saturdays,

   44  Sundays and legal holidays. The request must be in  writing.  A  request

   45  for  a  hearing  shall not stay the order of isolation or quarantine. At

   46  the hearing, the department must show that the isolation  or  quarantine

   47  is warranted pursuant to the provisions of this section.

   48    (d)  On or after thirty days following a hearing on the ex parte order

   49  or such hearing as is provided for in this paragraph, a person  isolated

   50  or quarantined pursuant to the provisions of this section may request in

   51  writing  a  court  hearing  to contest his or her continued isolation or

   52  quarantine. The hearing  shall  be  held  within  seventy-two  hours  of

   53  receipt  of  such  request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holi-

   54  days. A request for a hearing shall not alter the order of isolation  or

   55  quarantine.  At  the hearing, the department must show that continuation

 

       S. 5841                            14

 

    1  of the isolation or quarantine is warranted pursuant to  the  provisions

    2  of this section.

    3    (e)  A  person  isolated  or quarantined pursuant to the provisions of

    4  this section may request a hearing in the courts of this state for reme-

    5  dies regarding his or her treatment and the terms and conditions of such

    6  quarantine or isolation.  Upon receiving a request for  either  type  of

    7  hearing  described  in  this paragraph, the court shall fix a date for a

    8  hearing. The hearing shall take place within ten days of the receipt  of

    9  the request by the court.  The request for a hearing shall not alter the

   10  order of isolation or quarantine.

   11    (f)  If, upon a hearing, the court finds that the isolation or quaran-

   12  tine of the individual is not warranted under  the  provisions  of  this

   13  section, then the person shall be released from isolation or quarantine.

   14  If the court finds that the isolation or quarantine of the individual is

   15  not  in  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  subdivision  one of this

   16  section, the court may then fashion remedies appropriate to the  circum-

   17  stances  of the state of public health emergency and in keeping with the

   18  provisions of this article.

   19    (g) Judicial decisions  shall  be  based  upon  clear  and  convincing

   20  evidence,  and  a written record of the disposition of the case shall be

   21  made and retained. The petitioner shall have the right to be represented

   22  by counsel or other lawful  representative.  The  manner  in  which  the

   23  request for a hearing is filed and acted upon will be in accordance with

   24  the  existing  laws  and  rules  of the courts of this state or any such

   25  rules that are developed by the courts for use during a state of  public

   26  health emergency.

   27    §  1043.  Vaccination  and treatment. The department may exercise, for

   28  such period as the state of public health emergency exists, the  follow-

   29  ing emergency powers over persons:

   30    1.  In general. To compel a person to be vaccinated and/or treated for

   31  an infectious disease.

   32    (a) Vaccination may be performed by any qualified person authorized by

   33  the department.

   34    (b) The vaccine shall not be given if the  department  has  reason  to

   35  know  that a particular individual is likely to suffer from serious harm

   36  from the vaccination.

   37    (c) Treatment may be performed by any qualified person  authorized  by

   38  the department.

   39    (d)  Treatment  must  not  be  such as is reasonably likely to lead to

   40  serious harm to the affected individual.

   41    2. Refusal. Individuals refusing to be vaccinated or treated shall  be

   42  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor.  If,  by reason of refusal of vaccination or

   43  treatment, the person poses a danger to the public health, he or she may

   44  be subject to isolation or quarantine pursuant to the provisions of this

   45  article.

   46    3. Enforcement. An order of the department  given  to  effectuate  the

   47  purposes  of  this section shall be immediately enforceable by any peace

   48  officer.

   49    § 1044. Collection of laboratory specimens. The  department  may,  for

   50  such  period  as  the  state  of public health emergency exists, collect

   51  specimens and perform tests on any person or animal, living or deceased,

   52  and acquire any previously collected specimens or test results that  are

   53  reasonable and necessary for emergency response.

   54    1. Marking. All specimens shall be clearly marked.

   55    2.  Contamination.  Specimen collection, handling, storage, and trans-

   56  port to the testing site shall  be  performed  in  a  manner  that  will

 

       S. 5841                            15

 

    1  reasonably  preclude  specimen contamination or adulteration and provide

    2  for the safe collection, storage, handling, and transport of such speci-

    3  men.

    4    3.  Chain  of  custody.  Any person authorized to collect specimens or

    5  perform tests shall use chain of custody  procedures  to  ensure  proper

    6  record  keeping,  handling, labeling, and identification of specimens to

    7  be tested. This requirement applies to all specimens,  including  speci-

    8  mens collected using on-site testing kits.

    9    4.  Criminal investigation. Recognizing that, during a state of public

   10  health emergency, any  specimen  collected  or  test  performed  may  be

   11  evidence  in a criminal investigation, any business, facility, or agency

   12  authorized to collect specimens or  perform  tests  shall  provide  such

   13  support  as  is  reasonable  and necessary to aid in a relevant criminal

   14  investigation.

   15    § 1045. Access and disclosure  of  patient  records.  1.    Access  to

   16  patient  records.  Access  to  protected  health information of patients

   17  under the isolation, quarantine, or care  of  the  department  shall  be

   18  limited  to those persons having a legitimate need to acquire or use the

   19  information for purposes of providing treatment or care to the  individ-

   20  ual  who  is the subject of the health information, conducting epidemio-

   21  logic research, or investigating the causes of transmission.

   22    2. Disclosure of patient records. Protected health information held by

   23  the department shall not  be  disclosed  to  others  without  individual

   24  specific informed consent, except for disclosures made:

   25    (a) directly to the individual;

   26    (b) to the individual's immediate family members or life partners;

   27    (c) to appropriate federal agencies or authorities;

   28    (d)  to  health  care  personnel where needed to protect the health or

   29  life of the individual who is the subject of the information;

   30    (e) pursuant to a court order or executive order of  the  governor  to

   31  avert a clear danger to an individual or the public health; or

   32    (f) to identify a deceased individual or determine the manner or cause

   33  of death.

   34    § 1046. Licensing and appointment of department personnel. The depart-

   35  ment  may  exercise, for such period as the state of public health emer-

   36  gency exists, the following  emergency  powers  regarding  licensing  of

   37  department personnel:

   38    1.  Health  care  providers  from  other jurisdictions. To appoint and

   39  prescribe the duties of such out-of-state emergency health care  provid-

   40  ers as may be reasonable and necessary for emergency response.

   41    (a)  The  appointment  of out-of-state emergency health care providers

   42  pursuant to this subdivision may be for a limited or unlimited time, but

   43  shall not exceed the termination of the state of public health  emergen-

   44  cy.  The  department  may terminate the out-of-state appointments at any

   45  time or for any reason provided that any such termination will not jeop-

   46  ardize the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state.

   47    (b) The department  may  waive  any  or  all  licensing  requirements,

   48  permits,  or fees required by the state and applicable orders, rules, or

   49  regulations for health care providers from other jurisdictions to  prac-

   50  tice in this state.

   51    (c) Any out-of-state emergency health care provider appointed pursuant

   52  to  this subdivision shall not be held liable for any civil damages as a

   53  result of medical care or treatment related to  the  emergency  response

   54  unless  such  damages  result  from  providing,  or  failing to provide,

   55  medical care or treatment under circumstances demonstrating  a  reckless

 

       S. 5841                            16

 

    1  disregard for the consequences so as to affect the life or health of the

    2  patient.

    3    2.  Personnel  to  perform  duties  of medical examiner or coroner. To

    4  authorize the medical examiner or coroner to appoint and  prescribe  the

    5  duties  of such emergency assistant medical examiners or coroners as may

    6  be required for the proper performance of their duties.

    7    (a) The appointment of emergency assistant medical examiners or coron-

    8  ers pursuant to this subdivision may be for a limited or unlimited time,

    9  but shall not exceed the termination of the state of public health emer-

   10  gency. The medical examiner or  coroner  may  terminate  such  emergency

   11  appointments  at  any  time  or  for  any reason, provided that any such

   12  termination will not impede the performance of their duties.

   13    (b) The medical examiner or coroner may waive  any  or  all  licensing

   14  requirements,  permits,  or  fees  required  by the state and applicable

   15  orders, rules, or regulations for the performance of these duties.

   16    (c) Any emergency  assistant  medical  examiner  or  corner  appointed

   17  pursuant  to  this  subdivision and acting without malice and within the

   18  scope of the prescribed duties shall be immune from civil  liability  in

   19  the performance of such duties.

 

   20                                  TITLE VI

   21           PUBLIC INFORMATION REGARDING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES

   22  Section 1050. Dissemination of information.

   23          1051. Provision of access to mental health support personnel.

   24    §  1050. Dissemination of information. The department shall inform the

   25  people of the state when a state of public  health  emergency  has  been

   26  declared  or terminated, how to protect themselves, and what actions are

   27  being taken to control the emergency.

   28    1. Means of dissemination. The department shall provide information by

   29  all available and reasonable means calculated to bring  the  information

   30  promptly to the attention of the general public.

   31    2. Languages. If the department has reason to believe there are people

   32  of  the  state  who  lack sufficient skills in English to understand the

   33  information, the department shall make reasonable efforts to provide the

   34  information in the primary languages of  those  people  as  well  as  in

   35  English.

   36    3.  Accessibility.  The  provision  of  information shall be made in a

   37  manner accessible to individuals with disabilities.

   38    § 1051. Provision of access to mental health support personnel. During

   39  and after a state of  public  health  emergency,  the  department  shall

   40  provide information about and referrals to mental health support person-

   41  nel to address psychological responses to the public health emergency.

 

   42                                  TITLE VII

   43                    PLANNING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

   44  Section 1060. Public health emergency planning commission.

   45          1061. Public health emergency plan.

   46    §  1060.  Public health emergency planning commission. There is hereby

   47  created within the department a public health emergency planning commis-

   48  sion, to be known as the commission, to  be  composed  of  state  agency

   49  directors,  or their designees. The commission shall be composed of nine

   50  members, three of whom shall be appointed by the governor, one of  which

   51  will  be  the chair of the commission, two of whom shall be appointed by

   52  the temporary president of the senate, two of whom shall be appointed by

   53  the speaker of the assembly, one of  whom  shall  be  appointed  by  the

 

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    1  minority  leader of the senate and one of whom shall be appointed by the

    2  minority leader of the assembly.

    3    §  1061.  Public  health emergency plan. 1. Content. The public health

    4  emergency planning commission shall, within six months of  its  appoint-

    5  ment,  deliver  to the governor a plan for responding to a public health

    6  emergency, that include, but not  be  limited  to,  provisions  for  the

    7  following:

    8    (a)  A means of notifying and communicating with the population during

    9  a state of public health emergency in compliance with this article;

   10    (b) Centralized coordination of  resources,  manpower,  and  services,

   11  including  coordination  of responses by state, local, and federal agen-

   12  cies;

   13    (c) The location, procurement, storage,  transportation,  maintenance,

   14  and  distribution  of  essential  materials, including medical supplies,

   15  drugs, vaccines, food, shelter, and beds;

   16    (d) The continued, effective operation of the judicial system  includ-

   17  ing,  if  deemed necessary, the identification and training of personnel

   18  to serve as emergency judges regarding matters of isolation and  quaran-

   19  tine as described in this article;

   20    (e)  The method of evacuating populations, and housing and feeding the

   21  evacuated populations;

   22    (f) The identification and training of health care providers to  diag-

   23  nose and treat persons with infectious diseases;

   24    (g)  Guidelines for the vaccination of persons, in compliance with the

   25  provisions of this article;

   26    (h) Guidelines for the treatment of persons who have been  exposed  to

   27  or who are infected with diseases or health conditions caused by bioter-

   28  rorism,  epidemic  or pandemic disease, or navel and highly fatal infec-

   29  tious agents or biological toxins, that pose a  substantial  risk  of  a

   30  significant  number of fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term

   31  disability. The guidelines should cover, but  not  be  limited  to,  the

   32  following  disease:  anthrax, botulism, smallpox, plague, tularemia, and

   33  viral hemorrhagic fevers;

   34    (i) Guidelines for the safe disposal of corpses,  in  compliance  with

   35  the provisions of this article;

   36    (j)  Guidelines  for the safe disposal of infectious waste, in compli-

   37  ance with the provisions of this article;

   38    (k) Guidelines for  the  safe  and  effective  management  of  persons

   39  isolated,  quarantined,  vaccinated, or treated during a state of public

   40  health emergency;

   41    (l) Tracking the source and outcomes of infected persons;

   42    (m) Ensuring that each city and county within the state identifies the

   43  following:

   44    (i) sites where persons can be  isolated  or  quarantined,  with  such

   45  sites  complying with the provisions of this article regarding the least

   46  restrictive means for isolation and quarantine, and the requirements for

   47  the safety, health and maintenance of personal dignity of those isolated

   48  or quarantined;

   49    (ii) sites where medical supplies, food, and other essentials  can  be

   50  distributed to the population;

   51    (iii) sites where emergency workers can be housed and fed;

   52    (iv) routes and means of transportation of people and materials;

   53    (n) Coordination with other states and the federal government;

   54    (o)  Taking  into  account cultural norms, values, and traditions that

   55  may be relevant; and

 

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    1    (p) Distribution of this plan and guidelines  to  those  who  will  be

    2  responsible for implementing the plan.

    3    2.  Review.  The  public  health  emergency  planning commission shall

    4  review its plan for responding to a public health  emergency  every  two

    5  years.

    6                                  TITLE VIII

    7                                MISCELLANEOUS

    8  Section 1070. Rules and regulations.

    9          1071. Financing and expenses.

   10          1072. Liability.

   11          1073. Compensation.

   12          1074. Severability.

   13          1075. Conflicting laws.

   14          1076. Reports.

   15    § 1070. Rules and regulations. The department is authorized to promul-

   16  gate  and  implement  such  rules  and regulations as are reasonable and

   17  necessary to implement and effectuate the provisions  of  this  article.

   18  The  department  shall  have the power to enforce the provisions of this

   19  article through the imposition of fines and penalties, the  issuance  of

   20  orders,  and  such other remedies as are provided by law, but nothing in

   21  this section shall be construed to  limit  specific  enforcement  powers

   22  enumerated in this article.

   23    §  1071.  Financing  and expenses. 1. The state may, after appropriate

   24  legislative authorization for that purpose, appropriate from the general

   25  fund of the state such sums as may  be  necessary  to  meet  the  public

   26  health emergency. Monies so transferred shall be repaid to the fund from

   27  which  they  were  transferred  when  monies  become  available for that

   28  purpose, by legislative appropriation or otherwise. A transfer of  funds

   29  by  the comptroller under the provisions of this subdivision may be made

   30  only when one or more of the following conditions exist:

   31    (a) No appropriation or other authorization is available to  meet  the

   32  public health emergency.

   33    (b)  An  appropriation is insufficient to meet the public health emer-

   34  gency.

   35    (c) Federal monies  available  for  such  a  public  health  emergency

   36  require the use of state or other public monies.

   37    2.  All expenses incurred by the state during a state of public health

   38  emergency shall be subject to the following limitations:

   39    (a) No expense shall be incurred against the monies  authorized  under

   40  this section, without the approval of the governor and the legislature.

   41    (b)  Monies authorized for a state of public health emergency in prior

   42  fiscal years may be used in subsequent fiscal years only for the  public

   43  health emergency for which they were authorized.

   44    §  1072. Liability. 1. State immunity. The state, its political subdi-

   45  visions, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct,  the

   46  governor,  the    department,  or any other state official referenced in

   47  this article, shall be immune from liability and action for the death of

   48  or any injury to persons, or damage to property, as a result of  comply-

   49  ing with or attempting to comply with this article or any rules or regu-

   50  lations promulgated pursuant to this article.

   51    2.  Private  liability. (a) During a state of public health emergency,

   52  any person owning or controlling  real  estate  or  other  premises  who

   53  voluntarily  and  without compensation grants a license or privilege, or

   54  otherwise permits the designation or use of the whole  or  any  part  or

   55  parts  of  such  real  estate  or premises for the purpose of sheltering

   56  persons, together with that person's successors  in  interest,  if  any,

 

       S. 5841                            19

 

    1  shall  not  be  civilly  liable for negligently causing the death of, or

    2  injury to, any person on or about such real  estate  or  premises  under

    3  such license, privilege, or other permission, or for negligently causing

    4  loss of, or damage to, the property of such person.

    5    (b)  During  a  state  of public health emergency, any private person,

    6  firm or corporation and employees and agents of  such  person,  firm  or

    7  corporation  in the performance of a contract with, and under the direc-

    8  tion of, the state or its political subdivisions under the provisions of

    9  this article shall not be civilly liable for causing the  death  of,  or

   10  injury  to,  any person or damage to any property except in the event of

   11  gross negligence or willful misconduct.

   12    (c) During a state of public health  emergency,  any  private  person,

   13  firm  or  corporation  and  employees and agents of such person, firm or

   14  corporation, who renders assistance or advice  at  the  request  of  the

   15  state or its political subdivisions under the provisions of this article

   16  shall  not be civilly liable for causing the death of, or injury to, any

   17  person or damage to any property except in the event of gross negligence

   18  or willful misconduct.

   19    (d) The immunities provided in this section shall  not  apply  to  any

   20  private  person,  firm,  or  corporation or employees and agents of such

   21  person, firm, or corporation whose act or omission caused in whole or in

   22  part the public health emergency  and  who  would  otherwise  be  liable

   23  therefor.

   24    §  1073.  Compensation.  1. Taking. Compensation for property shall be

   25  made only if private property  is  lawfully  taken  or  appropriated  by

   26  department  for  its temporary or permanent use during a state of public

   27  health emergency declared by the governor pursuant to this article.

   28    2. Actions. Any action against the state with regard to the payment of

   29  compensation shall be brought in the courts of this state in  accordance

   30  with existing laws and rules, or any such rules that may be developed by

   31  the legislature for use during a state of public health emergency.

   32    3.  Amount. The amount of compensation shall be calculated in the same

   33  manner as compensation due  for  taking  of  property  pursuant  to  the

   34  eminent domain procedures and provisions of the eminent domain procedure

   35  law,  except  that  the  amount  of  compensation  calculated  for items

   36  obtained under section ten hundred thirty-four of  title  four  of  this

   37  article shall be limited to the costs incurred to produce the item.

   38    § 1074. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision,

   39  section  or  part of this article shall be adjudged by a court of compe-

   40  tent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,  impair

   41  or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its opera-

   42  tion to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of

   43  this article directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment

   44  shall have been rendered.

   45    §  1075. Conflicting laws.  Nothing in this article shall be deemed to

   46  derogate or detract from the functions, powers and duties of any depart-

   47  ment or agency of the state prescribed by law.

   48    § 1076. Reports. The department shall make an  annual  report  to  the

   49  governor and legislature which shall include, but not be limited to:

   50    1. A description of the detection and tracking efforts made under this

   51  article;

   52    2.  A  description  of the state of public health emergencies declared

   53  under this article;

   54    3. A description of the emergency powers utilized under this  article;

   55  and

 

       S. 5841                            20

 

    1    4.  A  description  of  the  monies  transferred  and  liabilities and

    2  expenses incurred under this article.

    3    §  3.  This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that

    4  the commissioner of the department of health shall promulgate the neces-

    5  sary rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this  act

    6  on or before its effective date.