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| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
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| HOUSE BILL |
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| INTRODUCED BY K. SMITH, BELFANTI, BRENNAN, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, FRANKEL, GEORGE, GRUCELA, HORNAMAN, KOTIK, LONGIETTI, MANDERINO, MELIO, MUNDY, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, READSHAW, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, STURLA, THOMAS, YOUNGBLOOD AND YUDICHAK, FEBRUARY 18, 2009 |
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| REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, FEBRUARY 18, 2009 |
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| AN ACT |
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1 | Amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), entitled |
2 | "An act providing for and reorganizing the conduct of the |
3 | executive and administrative work of the Commonwealth by the |
4 | Executive Department thereof and the administrative |
5 | departments, boards, commissions, and officers thereof, |
6 | including the boards of trustees of State Normal Schools, or |
7 | Teachers Colleges; abolishing, creating, reorganizing or |
8 | authorizing the reorganization of certain administrative |
9 | departments, boards, and commissions; defining the powers and |
10 | duties of the Governor and other executive and administrative |
11 | officers, and of the several administrative departments, |
12 | boards, commissions, and officers; fixing the salaries of the |
13 | Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and certain other executive |
14 | and administrative officers; providing for the appointment of |
15 | certain administrative officers, and of all deputies and |
16 | other assistants and employes in certain departments, boards, |
17 | and commissions; and prescribing the manner in which the |
18 | number and compensation of the deputies and all other |
19 | assistants and employes of certain departments, boards and |
20 | commissions shall be determined," providing for measures to |
21 | detect and track potential and existing public health |
22 | emergencies, for declaring state of public health emergency, |
23 | for control of property and persons during state of public |
24 | health emergency and for public information regarding and |
25 | planning for public health emergencies; and establishing the |
26 | Public Health Emergency Planning Commission. |
27 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
28 | hereby enacts as follows: |
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1 | Section 1. The act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known |
2 | as The Administrative Code of 1929, is amended by adding an |
3 | article to read: |
4 | ARTICLE XXV-D |
5 | EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS AND PROCEDURES |
6 | (a) Preliminary Provisions |
7 | Section 2501-D. Short title. |
8 | This article shall be known and may be cited as the Emergency |
9 | Health Powers Act. |
10 | Section 2502-D. Legislative findings. |
11 | The General Assembly finds that: |
12 | (1) The Commonwealth must do more to protect the health, |
13 | safety and general well-being of its citizens. |
14 | (2) New and emerging dangers, including emergent and |
15 | resurgent infectious diseases and incidents of civilian mass |
16 | casualties, pose serious and immediate threats. |
17 | (3) A renewed focus on the prevention, detection, |
18 | management and containment of public health emergencies is |
19 | called for. |
20 | (4) Emergency health threats, including those caused by |
21 | bioterrorism and epidemics, require the exercise of |
22 | extraordinary government functions. |
23 | (5) The Commonwealth must have the ability to respond |
24 | rapidly and effectively to potential or actual public health |
25 | emergencies. |
26 | (6) The exercise of emergency health powers must promote |
27 | the common good. |
28 | (7) Emergency health powers must be grounded in a |
29 | thorough scientific understanding of public health threats |
30 | and disease transmission. |
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1 | (8) Guided by principles of justice, it is the duty of |
2 | the Commonwealth to act with fairness and tolerance toward |
3 | individuals and groups. |
4 | (9) The rights of people to liberty, bodily integrity |
5 | and privacy must be respected to the fullest extent possible |
6 | consistent with the overriding importance of the public's |
7 | health and security. |
8 | (10) This article is necessary to protect the health and |
9 | safety of the citizens of this Commonwealth. |
10 | Section 2503-D. Purposes. |
11 | The purposes of this article are to: |
12 | (1) Authorize the collection of data and records, the |
13 | control of property, the management of persons and access to |
14 | communications. |
15 | (2) Facilitate the early detection of a health emergency |
16 | and allow for immediate investigation of such an emergency by |
17 | granting access to individuals' health information under |
18 | specified circumstances. |
19 | (3) Grant State officials the authority to use and |
20 | appropriate property as necessary for the care, treatment and |
21 | housing of patients and for the destruction of contaminated |
22 | materials. |
23 | (4) Grant State officials the authority to provide care |
24 | and treatment to persons who are ill or who have been exposed |
25 | to infection and to separate affected individuals from the |
26 | population at large for the purpose of interrupting the |
27 | transmission of infectious disease. |
28 | (5) Ensure that the needs of infected or exposed persons |
29 | will be addressed to the fullest extent possible given the |
30 | primary goal of controlling serious health threats. |
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1 | (6) Provide State officials with the ability to prevent, |
2 | detect, manage and contain emergency health threats without |
3 | unduly interfering with civil rights and liberties. |
4 | (7) Require the development of a comprehensive plan to |
5 | provide for a coordinated, appropriate response in the event |
6 | of a public health emergency. |
7 | Section 2504-D. Definitions. |
8 | The following words and phrases when used in this article |
9 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
10 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
11 | "Bioterrorism." The intentional use of any microorganism, |
12 | virus, infectious substance or biological product that may be |
13 | engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally |
14 | occurring or bioengineered component of any such microorganism, |
15 | virus, infectious substance or biological product to cause |
16 | death, disease or other biological malfunction in a human, |
17 | animal, plant or another living organism in order to influence |
18 | the conduct of government or to intimidate or coerce a civilian |
19 | population. |
20 | "Chain of custody." The methodology of tracking specimens |
21 | for the purpose of maintaining control and accountability from |
22 | initial collection to final disposition of the specimens and |
23 | providing for accountability at each stage of collecting, |
24 | handling, testing, storing and transporting the specimens and |
25 | reporting test results. |
26 | "Commission." The Public Health Emergency Planning |
27 | Commission. |
28 | "Contagious disease." An infectious disease that can be |
29 | transmitted from person to person, animal to person or insect to |
30 | person. |
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1 | "Health care facility." A non-Federal institution, building |
2 | or agency, or portion thereof, whether for profit or nonprofit, |
3 | that is used, operated or designed to provide health services, |
4 | medical treatment or nursing, rehabilitative or preventive care |
5 | to any person or persons. The term includes, but is not limited |
6 | to, ambulatory surgical facilities, health maintenance |
7 | organizations, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, |
8 | infirmaries, intermediate care facilities, kidney treatment |
9 | centers, long-term care facilities, medical assistance |
10 | facilities, mental health centers, outpatient facilities, public |
11 | health centers, rehabilitation facilities, residential treatment |
12 | facilities, skilled nursing facilities and adult day-care |
13 | centers. The term also includes, but is not limited to, the |
14 | following related property when used for or in connection with |
15 | the foregoing: laboratories, research facilities, pharmacies, |
16 | laundry facilities, health personnel training and lodging |
17 | facilities, patient, guest and health personnel food service |
18 | facilities and offices and office buildings for persons engaged |
19 | in health care professions or services. |
20 | "Health care provider." A person or entity who provides |
21 | health care services. The term includes, but is not limited to, |
22 | hospitals, medical clinics and offices, special care facilities, |
23 | medical laboratories, physicians, pharmacists, dentists, |
24 | physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered and other |
25 | nurses, paramedics, emergency medical or laboratory technicians |
26 | and ambulance and emergency medical workers. |
27 | "Infectious disease." A disease caused by a living organism, |
28 | which disease may or may not be transmissible from person to |
29 | person, animal to person or insect to person. |
30 | "Infectious waste." Any of the following: |
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1 | (1) Biological waste, including blood and blood |
2 | products, excretions, exudates, secretions, suctioning and |
3 | other body fluids and waste materials saturated with blood or |
4 | body fluids. |
5 | (2) Cultures and stocks, including etiologic agents and |
6 | associated biologicals, specimen cultures and dishes and |
7 | devices used to transfer, inoculate and mix cultures, wastes |
8 | from production of biologicals and serums and discarded live |
9 | and attenuated vaccines. |
10 | (3) Pathological waste, including biopsy materials and |
11 | all human tissues, anatomical parts that emanate from |
12 | surgery, obstetrical procedures, autopsy and laboratory |
13 | procedures and animal carcasses exposed to pathogens in |
14 | research and the bedding and other waste from such animals, |
15 | but not including teeth or formaldehyde or other preservative |
16 | agents. |
17 | (4) Sharps, including needles, IV tubing with needles |
18 | attached, scalpel blades, lancets, glass tubes that could be |
19 | broken during handling and syringes that have been removed |
20 | from their original sterile containers. |
21 | "Isolation." The compulsory physical separation, including |
22 | the restriction of movement or confinement, of individuals or |
23 | groups believed to have been exposed to or known to have been |
24 | infected with a contagious disease from individuals who are |
25 | believed not to have been exposed or infected, in order to |
26 | prevent or limit the transmission of the disease to others. |
27 | "Mental health support personnel." This term includes, but |
28 | is not limited to, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers |
29 | and volunteer crisis counseling groups. |
30 | "PA-NEDSS." Pennsylvania's National Electronic Disease |
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1 | Surveillance System, an Internet-based instrument utilized by |
2 | health care providers to report diseases and enable the |
3 | Department of Health to analyze data and respond immediately. |
4 | "Protected health information." Information, whether oral, |
5 | written, electronic, visual, pictorial, physical or any other |
6 | form that relates to an individual's past, present or future |
7 | physical or mental health status, condition, treatment, service, |
8 | products purchased or provision of care, and that reveals the |
9 | identity of the individual whose health care is the subject of |
10 | the information, or where there is a reasonable basis to believe |
11 | such information could be utilized, either alone or with other |
12 | information that is or should reasonably be known to be |
13 | available to predictable recipients of such information, to |
14 | reveal the identity of that individual. |
15 | "Public health authority." The Department of Health, a local |
16 | government agency that acts principally to protect or preserve |
17 | the public's health, a person authorized to act on behalf of the |
18 | Department of Health or local public health agency. |
19 | "Public health emergency." An occurrence or imminent threat |
20 | of an illness or health condition, caused by bioterrorism, |
21 | epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and highly fatal |
22 | infectious agent or biological toxin, that poses a substantial |
23 | risk of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of |
24 | permanent or long-term disability, where such illness or health |
25 | condition includes, but is not limited to, an illness or health |
26 | condition resulting from a natural disaster. |
27 | "Public safety authority." The Pennsylvania Emergency |
28 | Management Agency, a local government agency that acts |
29 | principally to protect or preserve the public safety or a person |
30 | authorized to act on behalf of the Pennsylvania Emergency |
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1 | Management Agency or local agency. |
2 | "Quarantine." The term shall have the same meaning as the |
3 | term "isolation." |
4 | "Specimens." The term includes, but is not limited to, |
5 | blood, sputum, urine, stool, other bodily fluids, wastes, |
6 | tissues and cultures necessary to perform required tests. |
7 | "Tests." The term includes, but is not limited to, any |
8 | diagnostic or investigative analysis necessary to prevent the |
9 | spread of disease or protect the public's health, safety and |
10 | welfare. |
11 | (b) Measures to Detect and Track Potential and |
12 | Existing Public Health Emergencies |
13 | Section 2511-D. Reporting. |
14 | (a) Illness or health condition.-- |
15 | (1) A health care provider, coroner or medical examiner |
16 | shall report all cases of persons who harbor any illness or |
17 | health condition that may be caused by bioterrorism, epidemic |
18 | or pandemic disease or novel and highly fatal infectious |
19 | agents or biological toxins and might pose a substantial risk |
20 | of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of |
21 | permanent or long-term disability. |
22 | (2) Such illnesses and health conditions include, but |
23 | are not limited to, the diseases caused by the biological |
24 | agents listed in 42 CFR 73.3(b) (relating to HHS select |
25 | agents and toxins) and any illnesses or health conditions |
26 | identified by the public health authority as potential causes |
27 | of a public health emergency. |
28 | (b) Pharmacists.-- |
29 | (1) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) |
30 | for health care providers, a pharmacist shall report any |
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1 | unusual or increased prescription rates, unusual types of |
2 | prescriptions or unusual trends in pharmacy visits that may |
3 | be caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease or |
4 | novel and highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins |
5 | and might pose a substantial risk of a significant number of |
6 | human fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term |
7 | disability. |
8 | (2) Prescription-related events that require a report |
9 | include, but are not limited to, any of the following: |
10 | (i) An unusual increase in the number of |
11 | prescriptions to treat fever, respiratory or |
12 | gastrointestinal complaints. |
13 | (ii) An unusual increase in the number of |
14 | prescriptions for antibiotics. |
15 | (iii) An unusual increase in the number of requests |
16 | for information on over-the-counter pharmaceuticals to |
17 | treat fever, respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints. |
18 | (iv) Any prescription that treats a disease that is |
19 | relatively uncommon and has bioterrorism potential. |
20 | (c) Manner of reporting.--The report shall be made within 24 |
21 | hours to the public health authority in writing or via PA-NEDSS |
22 | or another electronic disease surveillance system approved by |
23 | the Department of Health. The report shall include the following |
24 | information, if available: |
25 | (1) The patient's name, date of birth, sex, race and |
26 | current address, including municipality and county. |
27 | (2) The name and address of the health care provider, |
28 | coroner or medical examiner and of the reporting individual, |
29 | if different. |
30 | (3) Any other information needed to locate the patient |
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1 | for follow up. |
2 | (4) For cases related to animal or insect bites, the |
3 | suspected locating information of the biting animal or insect |
4 | and the name and address of any known owner. |
5 | (d) Animal diseases.-- |
6 | (1) A veterinarian, livestock owner, veterinary |
7 | diagnostic laboratory director or other person having the |
8 | care of animals shall report animals having or suspected of |
9 | having any disease that may be caused by bioterrorism, |
10 | epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and highly fatal |
11 | infectious agents or biological toxins and might pose a |
12 | substantial risk of a significant number of human and animal |
13 | fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. |
14 | (2) The report shall be made in writing within 24 hours |
15 | to the public health authority and shall include the |
16 | following information, if available: |
17 | (i) The suspected locating information of the |
18 | animal. |
19 | (ii) The name and address of any known owner. |
20 | (iii) The name and address of the reporting |
21 | individual. |
22 | (e) Enforcement.--The public health authority may enforce |
23 | the provisions of this section in accordance with existing |
24 | enforcement rules and regulations. |
25 | (f) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "health |
26 | care provider" includes an out-of-State medical laboratory, |
27 | provided that the laboratory has agreed to the reporting |
28 | requirements of this Commonwealth. Results must be reported by |
29 | the laboratory that performs the test, but a laboratory in this |
30 | Commonwealth that sends specimens to a laboratory outside this |
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1 | Commonwealth shall also report the results. |
2 | Section 2512-D. Tracking. |
3 | (a) General rule.--The public health authority shall: |
4 | (1) Ascertain the existence of cases of an illness or |
5 | health condition caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic |
6 | disease or novel and highly fatal infectious agent or |
7 | biological toxin that poses a substantial risk of a |
8 | significant number of human fatalities or incidents of |
9 | permanent or long-term disability. |
10 | (2) Investigate all such cases for sources of infection |
11 | and ensure that they are subject to proper control measures. |
12 | (3) Define the distribution of the illness or health |
13 | condition. |
14 | (b) Identification of exposed individuals.--To fulfill these |
15 | duties, the public health authority shall identify exposed |
16 | individuals as follows: |
17 | (1) Acting on information developed in accordance with |
18 | section 2511-D or other reliable information, the public |
19 | health authority shall identify all individuals thought to |
20 | have been exposed to an illness or health condition caused by |
21 | bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and |
22 | highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins that |
23 | poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human |
24 | fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. |
25 | (2) The public health authority shall counsel and |
26 | interview such individuals as appropriate to assist in the |
27 | positive identification of exposed individuals and develop |
28 | information relating to the source and spread of the illness |
29 | or health condition. Such information includes the name and |
30 | address, including city and county, of any person from whom |
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1 | the illness or health condition may have been contracted and |
2 | to whom the illness or health condition may have spread. |
3 | (3) The public health authority shall, for examination |
4 | purposes, close, evacuate or decontaminate any facility or |
5 | decontaminate or destroy any material when the authority |
6 | reasonably suspects that such facility or material may |
7 | endanger the public health. |
8 | (c) Enforcement.--An order of the public health authority |
9 | given to effectuate the purposes of this section shall be |
10 | enforceable immediately by the public safety authority. |
11 | Section 2513-D. Information sharing. |
12 | (a) Duty of public safety authority.--Whenever the public |
13 | safety authority learns of a case of a reportable illness or |
14 | health condition, an unusual cluster or a suspicious event, it |
15 | shall immediately notify the public health authority. |
16 | (b) Duty of public health authority.--Whenever the public |
17 | health authority learns of a case of a reportable illness or |
18 | health condition, an unusual cluster or a suspicious event that |
19 | it reasonably believes has the potential to be caused by |
20 | bioterrorism, it shall immediately notify the appropriate public |
21 | safety authority and Federal health and public safety |
22 | authorities. |
23 | (c) Limitation.--Sharing of information on reportable |
24 | illnesses, health conditions, unusual clusters or suspicious |
25 | events between authorized personnel shall be limited to |
26 | information necessary for the treatment, control, investigation |
27 | and prevention of a public health emergency. |
28 | (c) Declaring State of Public Health Emergency |
29 | Section 2521-D. Standards for declaration. |
30 | (a) Declaration by Governor.-- |
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1 | (1) A state of public health emergency shall be declared |
2 | by the Governor if the Governor finds an occurrence or |
3 | imminent threat of an illness or health condition caused by |
4 | bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and |
5 | highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins that |
6 | poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human |
7 | fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. |
8 | The declaration shall be published as a notice in the |
9 | Pennsylvania Bulletin. |
10 | (2) To make such a finding, the Governor shall consult |
11 | with the public health authority and may consult with any |
12 | public health and other experts as needed. |
13 | (b) Construction.--Nothing in the duty of the Governor to |
14 | consult with the public health authority or the discretion to |
15 | consult with public health or other experts shall be construed |
16 | to limit the Governor's authority to act without such |
17 | consultation when the situation calls for prompt and timely |
18 | action. |
19 | Section 2522-D. Procedures for declaration. |
20 | The state of public health emergency shall be declared by an |
21 | executive order that indicates: |
22 | (1) The nature of the public health emergency. |
23 | (2) The area that is or may be threatened. |
24 | (3) The conditions that have brought about the public |
25 | health emergency. |
26 | Section 2523-D. Effect of declaration. |
27 | (a) General rule.--The declaration of a state of public |
28 | health emergency shall activate the disaster response and |
29 | recovery aspects of the State, local and interjurisdictional |
30 | disaster emergency plans in the affected political subdivision |
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1 | or area. The declaration shall authorize the deployment and use |
2 | of any forces to which the plans apply and the use or |
3 | distribution of any supplies, equipment and materials and |
4 | facilities assembled, stockpiled or arranged to be made |
5 | available pursuant to this article. |
6 | (b) Emergency powers of Governor.--During a state of public |
7 | health emergency, the Governor may: |
8 | (1) Suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute |
9 | prescribing procedures for conducting State business or the |
10 | orders, rules and regulations of any State agency if strict |
11 | compliance with the same would prevent, hinder or delay |
12 | necessary action, including emergency purchases, by the |
13 | public health authority to respond to the public health |
14 | emergency and increase the health threat to the population. |
15 | The suspension shall be published as a notice in the |
16 | Pennsylvania Bulletin. |
17 | (2) Utilize all available resources of the State |
18 | government and its political subdivisions, as reasonably |
19 | necessary to respond to the public health emergency. |
20 | (3) Transfer the direction, personnel or functions of |
21 | State departments and agencies to perform or facilitate |
22 | response and recovery programs regarding the public health |
23 | emergency. |
24 | (4) Mobilize all or any part of the Pennsylvania |
25 | National Guard into service of the Commonwealth. An order |
26 | directing the Pennsylvania National Guard to report for |
27 | active duty shall state the purpose for which it is mobilized |
28 | and the objectives to be accomplished. |
29 | (5) Provide aid to and seek aid from other states in |
30 | accordance with any interstate emergency compact made with |
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1 | the Commonwealth. |
2 | (c) Coordination by public health authority.--The public |
3 | health authority shall coordinate all matters pertaining to the |
4 | public health emergency response of the Commonwealth. The public |
5 | health authority shall have primary jurisdiction, responsibility |
6 | and authority for: |
7 | (1) Planning and executing public health emergency |
8 | assessment, mitigation, preparedness response and recovery |
9 | for the Commonwealth. |
10 | (2) Coordinating public health emergency response |
11 | between State and political subdivisions. |
12 | (3) Collaborating with relevant Federal Government |
13 | authorities, elected officials of other states, private |
14 | organizations or private sector companies. |
15 | (4) Coordinating recovery operations and mitigation |
16 | initiatives subsequent to public health emergencies. |
17 | (5) Organizing public information activities regarding |
18 | State public health emergency response operations. |
19 | (d) Identification.--After the declaration of a state of |
20 | public health emergency, special identification for all public |
21 | health personnel working during the emergency shall be issued by |
22 | the Governor or public health authority as soon as possible. The |
23 | identification shall indicate the authority of the bearer to |
24 | exercise public health functions and emergency powers during the |
25 | state of public health emergency. Public health personnel shall |
26 | wear the identification in plain view. |
27 | Section 2524-D. Enforcement. |
28 | During a state of public health emergency, the public health |
29 | authority may request assistance in enforcing orders pursuant to |
30 | this article from the public safety authority. The public safety |
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1 | authority may request assistance, with the approval of the |
2 | Governor, from the Pennsylvania National Guard in enforcing the |
3 | orders of the public health authority. |
4 | Section 2525-D. Termination of declaration. |
5 | (a) Executive order.--The Governor shall terminate the state |
6 | of public health emergency by executive order upon finding that |
7 | the occurrence of an illness or health condition caused by |
8 | bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and highly |
9 | fatal infectious agents or biological toxins no longer poses a |
10 | substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or |
11 | incidents of permanent or long-term disability or that the |
12 | imminent threat of such an occurrence has passed. The executive |
13 | order shall be published as a notice in the Pennsylvania |
14 | Bulletin. |
15 | (b) Automatic termination.-- |
16 | (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, |
17 | a state of public health emergency shall be terminated |
18 | automatically 30 days after its declaration unless renewed by |
19 | the Governor under the same standards and procedures set |
20 | forth in this article for a declaration of a state of public |
21 | health emergency. |
22 | (2) Any such renewal shall also be terminated |
23 | automatically after 30 days unless renewed by the Governor |
24 | under the same standards and procedures set forth in this |
25 | article for a declaration of a state of public health |
26 | emergency. |
27 | (c) State legislature.--By a two-thirds vote of both |
28 | chambers, the General Assembly may terminate a state of public |
29 | health emergency after 60 days from the date of original |
30 | declaration upon finding that the occurrence of an illness or |
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1 | health condition caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic |
2 | disease or novel and highly fatal infectious agents or |
3 | biological toxins no longer poses a substantial risk of a |
4 | significant number of human fatalities or incidents of permanent |
5 | or long-term disability or that the imminent threat of such an |
6 | occurrence has passed. Such a termination by the General |
7 | Assembly shall supersede any renewal by the Governor. |
8 | (d) Content of termination order.--All orders terminating a |
9 | state of public health emergency shall indicate: |
10 | (1) The nature of the emergency. |
11 | (2) The area that was threatened. |
12 | (3) The conditions that make possible the termination of |
13 | the state of public health emergency. |
14 | (d) Control of Property During State of Public |
15 | Health Emergency |
16 | Section 2531-D. Emergency measures concerning dangerous |
17 | facilities and materials. |
18 | The public health authority may exercise, for such period as |
19 | the state of public health emergency exists, the following |
20 | powers: |
21 | (1) To close, direct and compel the evacuation of or to |
22 | decontaminate or cause to be decontaminated any facility of |
23 | which there is reasonable cause to believe that it may |
24 | endanger the public health. |
25 | (2) To decontaminate or cause to be decontaminated or |
26 | destroy any material of which there is reasonable cause to |
27 | believe that it may endanger the public health. |
28 | Section 2532-D. Access to and control of facilities and |
29 | property. |
30 | The public health authority may exercise, for such period as |
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1 | the state of public health emergency exists, the following |
2 | powers concerning facilities, materials, roads or public areas: |
3 | (1) To procure, by condemnation or otherwise, construct, |
4 | lease, transport, store, maintain, renovate or distribute |
5 | materials and facilities as may be reasonable and necessary |
6 | for emergency response, with the right to take immediate |
7 | possession thereof. Such materials and facilities include, |
8 | but are not limited to, communication devices, carriers, real |
9 | estate, fuels, food, clothing and health care facilities. |
10 | (2) To compel a health care facility to provide services |
11 | or the use of its facility if such services or use are |
12 | reasonable and necessary for emergency response. The use of |
13 | the health care facility may include transferring the |
14 | management and supervision of the health care facility to the |
15 | public health authority for a limited or unlimited period of |
16 | time, but shall not exceed the termination of the state of |
17 | public health emergency. |
18 | (3) To control, restrict and regulate by rationing and |
19 | using quotas, prohibitions on shipments, price fixing, |
20 | allocation or other means, the use, sale, dispensing, |
21 | distribution or transportation of food, fuel, clothing and |
22 | other commodities, alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives |
23 | and combustibles, as may be reasonable and necessary for |
24 | emergency response. |
25 | (4) To prescribe routes, modes of transportation and |
26 | destinations in connection with evacuation of persons or the |
27 | provisions of emergency services. |
28 | (5) To control ingress and egress to and from any |
29 | stricken or threatened public area, the movement of persons |
30 | within the area and the occupancy of premises therein, if |
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1 | such action is reasonable and necessary for emergency |
2 | response. |
3 | Section 2533-D. Safe disposal of infectious waste. |
4 | The public health authority may exercise, for such period as |
5 | the state of public health emergency exists, the following |
6 | powers regarding the safe disposal of infectious waste: |
7 | (1) To adopt and enforce measures to provide for the |
8 | safe disposal of infectious waste as may be reasonable and |
9 | necessary for emergency response. Such measures may include, |
10 | but are not limited to, the collection, storage, handling, |
11 | destruction, treatment, transportation and disposal of |
12 | infectious waste. |
13 | (2) To compel any business or facility authorized to |
14 | collect, store, handle, destroy, treat, transport and dispose |
15 | of infectious waste under the laws of this Commonwealth and |
16 | any landfill business or other such property to accept |
17 | infectious waste or provide services or the use of the |
18 | business, facility or property, if such action is reasonable |
19 | and necessary for emergency response. The use of the |
20 | business, facility or property may include transferring the |
21 | management and supervision of such business, facility or |
22 | property to the public health authority for a limited or |
23 | unlimited period of time, but shall not exceed the |
24 | termination of the state of public health emergency. |
25 | (3) To procure, by condemnation or otherwise, any |
26 | business or facility authorized to collect, store, handle, |
27 | destroy, treat, transport and dispose of infectious waste |
28 | under the laws of this Commonwealth and any landfill business |
29 | or other such property as may be reasonable and necessary for |
30 | emergency response, with the right to take immediate |
|
1 | possession thereof. |
2 | (4) To require that all bags, boxes or other containers |
3 | for infectious waste be clearly identified as containing |
4 | infectious waste. |
5 | Section 2534-D. Safe disposal of corpses. |
6 | The public health authority may exercise, for such period as |
7 | the state of public health emergency exists, the following |
8 | powers regarding the safe disposal of corpses: |
9 | (1) To adopt and enforce measures to provide for the |
10 | safe disposal of corpses as may be reasonable and necessary |
11 | for emergency response. Such measures may include, but are |
12 | not limited to, the embalming, burial, cremation, interment, |
13 | disinterment, transportation and disposal of corpses. |
14 | (2) To take possession or control of any corpse. |
15 | (3) To order the disposal of any corpse of a person who |
16 | died of an infectious disease through burial or cremation |
17 | within 24 hours after death. |
18 | (4) To compel any business or facility authorized to |
19 | embalm, bury, cremate, inter, disinter, transport and dispose |
20 | of corpses under the laws of this Commonwealth to accept any |
21 | corpse or provide the use of its business or facility if such |
22 | actions are reasonable and necessary for emergency response. |
23 | The use of the business or facility may include transferring |
24 | the management and supervision of such business or facility |
25 | to the public health authority for a limited or unlimited |
26 | period of time, but shall not exceed the termination of the |
27 | state of public health emergency. |
28 | (5) To procure, by condemnation or otherwise, any |
29 | business or facility authorized to embalm, bury, cremate, |
30 | inter, disinter, transport and dispose of corpses under the |
|
1 | laws of this Commonwealth as may be reasonable and necessary |
2 | for emergency response, with the right to take immediate |
3 | possession thereof. |
4 | (6) To require that any corpse, prior to disposal, be |
5 | clearly labeled with all available information to identify |
6 | the decedent and the circumstances of death. Any corpse of a |
7 | person with an infectious disease shall have an external, |
8 | clearly visible tag indicating that the corpse is infected |
9 | and, if known, the infectious disease. |
10 | (7) To require that any person in charge of disposing of |
11 | a corpse shall maintain a written record of the corpse and |
12 | all available information to identify the decedent and the |
13 | circumstances of death and disposal. If a corpse cannot be |
14 | identified, prior to disposal a qualified person shall, to |
15 | the extent possible, take fingerprints and one or more |
16 | photographs of the corpse and collect a DNA specimen. All |
17 | information gathered under this paragraph shall be promptly |
18 | forwarded to the public health authority. |
19 | Section 2535-D. Control of health care supplies. |
20 | (a) Procurement.--The public health authority may purchase |
21 | and distribute antitoxins, serums, vaccines, immunizing agents, |
22 | antibiotics and other pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies |
23 | that it deems advisable in the interest of preparing for or |
24 | controlling a public health emergency, without any additional |
25 | legislative authorization. |
26 | (b) Rationing.-- |
27 | (1) If a state of public health emergency results in a |
28 | Statewide or regional shortage or threatened shortage of any |
29 | product covered by subsection (a), whether or not such |
30 | product has been purchased by the public health authority, |
|
1 | the public health authority may control, restrict and |
2 | regulate by rationing and using quotas, prohibitions on |
3 | shipments, price fixing, allocation or other means, the use, |
4 | sale, dispensing, distribution or transportation of the |
5 | relevant product necessary to protect the health, safety and |
6 | welfare of the people of this Commonwealth. |
7 | (2) In making rationing or other supply and distribution |
8 | decisions, the public health authority may give preference to |
9 | health care providers, disaster response personnel and |
10 | mortuary staff. |
11 | (c) Distribution.-- |
12 | (1) During a state of public health emergency, the |
13 | public health authority may procure, store or distribute any |
14 | antitoxins, serums, vaccines, immunizing agents, antibiotics |
15 | and other pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies located |
16 | within this Commonwealth as may be reasonable and necessary |
17 | for emergency response, with the right to take immediate |
18 | possession thereof. |
19 | (2) If a public health emergency simultaneously affects |
20 | more than one state, nothing in this section shall be |
21 | construed to allow the public health authority to obtain |
22 | antitoxins, serums, vaccines, immunizing agents, antibiotics |
23 | and other pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies for the |
24 | primary purpose of hoarding such items or preventing their |
25 | fair and equitable distribution among affected states. |
26 | Section 2536-D. Compensation. |
27 | The Commonwealth shall pay just compensation to the owner of |
28 | any facility or materials that are lawfully taken or |
29 | appropriated by a public health authority for its temporary or |
30 | permanent use under this article according to the procedures and |
|
1 | standards set forth in section 2575-D. Compensation may not be |
2 | provided for facilities or materials that are closed, evacuated, |
3 | decontaminated or destroyed when there is reasonable cause to |
4 | believe that they may endanger the public health pursuant to |
5 | section 2531-D. |
6 | Section 2537-D. Destruction of property. |
7 | To the extent practicable, consistent with the protection of |
8 | public health, prior to the destruction of any property under |
9 | this article, the public health authority shall institute |
10 | appropriate civil proceedings against the property to be |
11 | destroyed in accordance with the existing laws and rules of the |
12 | courts of this Commonwealth or any such rules that may be |
13 | developed by the courts for use during a state of public health |
14 | emergency. Any property acquired by the public health authority |
15 | through such proceedings shall, after entry of the decree, be |
16 | disposed of by destruction as the court may direct. |
17 | (e) Control of Persons During Public Health Emergency |
18 | Section 2541-D. Control of individuals. |
19 | During a state of public health emergency, the public health |
20 | authority shall use every available means to prevent the |
21 | transmission of infectious disease and to ensure that all cases |
22 | of infectious disease are subject to proper control and |
23 | treatment. |
24 | Section 2542-D. Mandatory medical examinations. |
25 | (a) Powers of public health authority.--The public health |
26 | authority may exercise, for such period as the state of public |
27 | health emergency exists, the following emergency powers over |
28 | persons: |
29 | (1) To compel a person to submit to a physical |
30 | examination or testing, or both, as necessary to diagnose or |
|
1 | treat the person subject to the following: |
2 | (i) The medical examination or testing may be |
3 | performed by any qualified person authorized by the |
4 | public health authority. |
5 | (ii) The medical examination or testing may not be |
6 | reasonably likely to result in serious harm to the |
7 | affected individual. |
8 | (iii) The medical examination or testing shall be |
9 | performed immediately upon the order of the public health |
10 | authority without resort to judicial or quasi-judicial |
11 | authority. |
12 | (iv) If the public health authority is uncertain |
13 | whether a person who refuses to undergo medical |
14 | examination or testing may have been exposed to an |
15 | infectious disease or otherwise poses a danger to public |
16 | health, the public health authority may subject the |
17 | individual to isolation or quarantine as provided in this |
18 | article. |
19 | (2) To require any physician or other health care |
20 | provider to perform the medical examination or testing, or |
21 | both. |
22 | (b) Enforcement.--An order of the public health authority |
23 | given to effectuate the purposes of this section shall be |
24 | immediately enforceable by any law enforcement officer. |
25 | (c) Penalty.--A person who refuses to submit or perform a |
26 | medical examination or test under this section commits a |
27 | misdemeanor of the third degree. |
28 | Section 2543-D. Isolation and quarantine. |
29 | (a) State policy and powers.-- |
30 | (1) It is the policy of the Commonwealth that the |
|
1 | individual dignity of any person isolated or quarantined |
2 | during a state of public health emergency shall be respected |
3 | at all times and upon all occasions. |
4 | (2) The needs of persons isolated or quarantined shall |
5 | be addressed in a systematic and competent fashion. |
6 | (3) To the extent possible, the premises in which |
7 | persons are isolated or quarantined shall be maintained in |
8 | safe and hygienic manners, designed to minimize the |
9 | likelihood of further transmission of infection or other harm |
10 | to persons subject to isolation or quarantine. |
11 | (4) Adequate food, clothing, medication and other |
12 | necessities and competent medical care shall be provided to |
13 | persons who are isolated or quarantined. |
14 | (5) The public health authority may exercise, for such |
15 | period as the state of public health emergency exists, the |
16 | following emergency powers over persons: |
17 | (i) To establish and maintain places of isolation |
18 | and quarantine. |
19 | (ii) To require isolation or quarantine of any |
20 | person by the least restrictive means necessary to |
21 | protect the public health. All reasonable means shall be |
22 | taken to prevent the transmission of infection among the |
23 | isolated or quarantined individuals. |
24 | (b) Individual cooperation.--A person subject to isolation |
25 | or quarantine: |
26 | (1) Shall comply with the public health authority's |
27 | rules and orders. |
28 | (2) Shall not go beyond the isolation or quarantine |
29 | premises. |
30 | (3) Shall not put himself in contact with any person not |
|
1 | subject to isolation or quarantine other than a physician or |
2 | other health care provider, public health authority or person |
3 | authorized to enter an isolation or quarantine premises by |
4 | the public health authority. |
5 | (c) Unauthorized entry.--No person other than a person |
6 | authorized by the public health authority shall enter an |
7 | isolation or quarantine premises. If, by reason of an |
8 | unauthorized entry into an isolation or quarantine premises, the |
9 | person poses a danger to public health, that person may be |
10 | subject to isolation or quarantine pursuant to the provisions of |
11 | this article. |
12 | (d) Termination.--Isolation or quarantine of any person |
13 | shall be terminated when the public health authority determines |
14 | that such isolation or quarantine of such person is no longer |
15 | necessary to protect the public health. |
16 | (e) Due process.-- |
17 | (1) Before isolating or quarantining a person, the |
18 | public health authority shall obtain a written, ex parte |
19 | order from a court of this Commonwealth authorizing such |
20 | action. The court shall grant such order upon finding that |
21 | probable cause exists to believe isolation or quarantine is |
22 | warranted pursuant to the provisions of this article. A copy |
23 | of the authorizing order shall be given to the person |
24 | isolated or quarantined, along with notification that the |
25 | person has a right to a hearing under this paragraph. |
26 | (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the public health |
27 | authority may isolate or quarantine a person without first |
28 | obtaining a written, ex parte order from the court if any |
29 | delay in the isolation or quarantine of the person would pose |
30 | an immediate threat to the public health. Following such |
|
1 | isolation or quarantine, the public health authority shall |
2 | promptly obtain a written, ex parte order from the court |
3 | authorizing the isolation or quarantine. |
4 | (3) A person isolated or quarantined pursuant to the |
5 | provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) shall have the right to a |
6 | court hearing to contest the ex parte order. If such person, |
7 | or person's representative, requests a hearing, the hearing |
8 | shall be held within 72 hours of receipt of such request, |
9 | excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. The request |
10 | shall be in writing. A request for a hearing shall not stay |
11 | the order of isolation or quarantine. At the hearing, the |
12 | public health authority must show that the isolation or |
13 | quarantine is warranted pursuant to the provisions of this |
14 | section. |
15 | (4) On or after 30 days following a hearing on the ex |
16 | parte order or such hearing as is provided for this |
17 | subsection, a person isolated or quarantined pursuant to the |
18 | provisions of this section may request in writing a court |
19 | hearing to contest that person's continued isolation or |
20 | quarantine. The hearing shall be held within 72 hours of |
21 | receipt of such request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and |
22 | legal holidays. A request for a hearing shall not alter the |
23 | order of isolation or quarantine. At the hearing, the public |
24 | health authority must show that continuation of the isolation |
25 | or quarantine is warranted pursuant to the provisions of this |
26 | section. |
27 | (5) A person isolated or quarantined pursuant to the |
28 | provisions of this section may request a hearing in the |
29 | courts of this Commonwealth for remedies regarding that |
30 | person's treatment and the terms and conditions of such |
|
1 | isolation or quarantine. Upon receiving a request for either |
2 | type of hearing described in this paragraph, the court shall |
3 | fix a date for a hearing. The hearing shall take place within |
4 | ten days of the receipt of the request by the court. The |
5 | request for a hearing shall not alter the order of isolation |
6 | or quarantine. |
7 | (6) If, upon hearing, the court finds that the isolation |
8 | or quarantine of the individual is not warranted under the |
9 | provisions of this section, then the person shall be released |
10 | from isolation or quarantine. If the court finds that the |
11 | isolation or quarantine of the individual is not in |
12 | compliance with the provisions of subsection (a), the court |
13 | may then fashion remedies appropriate to the circumstances of |
14 | the state of public health emergency and in keeping with the |
15 | provisions of this article. |
16 | (7) Judicial decisions shall be based upon clear and |
17 | convincing evidence, and a written record of the disposition |
18 | of the case shall be made and retained. The petitioner shall |
19 | have the right to be represented by counsel or other lawful |
20 | representative. The manner in which the request for a hearing |
21 | is filed and acted upon will be in accordance with the |
22 | existing laws and rules of the courts of this Commonwealth or |
23 | any such rules that are developed by the courts for use |
24 | during a state of public health emergency. |
25 | (f) Penalty.--A person who fails to comply with the |
26 | provisions of subsection (b) or (c) commits a misdemeanor of the |
27 | third degree. |
28 | Section 2544-D. Vaccination and treatment. |
29 | (a) Powers of public health authority.--The public health |
30 | authority may, for such period as the state of public health |
|
1 | emergency exists, compel a person to be vaccinated or treated, |
2 | or both, for an infectious disease subject to the following |
3 | provisions: |
4 | (1) Vaccination may be performed by any qualified person |
5 | authorized by the public health authority. |
6 | (2) A vaccine may not be given if the public health |
7 | authority has reason to know that a particular individual is |
8 | likely to suffer serious harm from the vaccination. |
9 | (3) Treatment may be performed by any qualified person |
10 | authorized by the public health authority. |
11 | (4) Treatment must not be such as is reasonably likely |
12 | to lead to serious harm to the affected individual. |
13 | (b) Refusal.--If, by reason of refusal of vaccination or |
14 | treatment, the person poses a danger to the public health, the |
15 | person may be isolated or quarantined pursuant to the provisions |
16 | of this article. |
17 | (c) Enforcement.--An order of the public health authority |
18 | given to effectuate the purposes of this section shall be |
19 | immediately enforceable by any peace officer. |
20 | (d) Penalty.--A person who fails to comply with this section |
21 | commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. |
22 | Section 2545-D. Collection of laboratory specimens; performance |
23 | of tests. |
24 | The public health authority may, for such period as the state |
25 | of public health emergency exists, collect specimens and perform |
26 | tests on any person or animal, living or deceased, and may |
27 | acquire any previously collected specimens or test results that |
28 | are reasonable and necessary for emergency response subject to |
29 | the following provisions: |
30 | (1) A specimen shall be clearly marked. |
|
1 | (2) Specimen collection, handling, storage and transport |
2 | to a testing site shall be performed in a manner that will |
3 | reasonably preclude specimen contamination or adulteration |
4 | and provide for the safe collection, storage, handling and |
5 | transport of the specimen. |
6 | (3) A person authorized to collect specimens or perform |
7 | tests shall use chain of custody procedures to ensure proper |
8 | recordkeeping, handling, labeling and identification of |
9 | specimens to be tested. This requirement applies to all |
10 | specimens, including specimens collected using onsite testing |
11 | kits. |
12 | (4) A business, facility or agency authorized to collect |
13 | specimens or perform tests shall provide such support as is |
14 | reasonable and necessary to aid in a relevant criminal |
15 | investigation. |
16 | Section 2546-D. Access and disclosure of patient records. |
17 | (a) Access to patient records.--Access to protected health |
18 | information of patients under the isolation, quarantine or care |
19 | of the public health authority shall be limited to those persons |
20 | having a legitimate need to acquire or use the information for |
21 | purposes of: |
22 | (1) providing treatment or care to the individual who is |
23 | the subject of the health information; |
24 | (2) conducting epidemiological research; or |
25 | (3) investigating the causes of transmission. |
26 | (b) Disclosure of patient records.--Protected health |
27 | information held by the public health authority may not be |
28 | disclosed to other persons without specific informed consent of |
29 | the patient except for disclosures made: |
30 | (1) directly to the patient; |
|
1 | (2) to the patient's immediate family members or life |
2 | partners; |
3 | (3) to appropriate Federal agencies or authorities; |
4 | (4) to health care personnel where needed to protect the |
5 | health or life of the patient who is the subject of the |
6 | information; |
7 | (5) pursuant to a court order or executive order of the |
8 | Governor, to avert a clear danger to an individual or the |
9 | public health; or |
10 | (6) to identify a deceased person or determine the |
11 | manner or cause of death. |
12 | Section 2547-D. Licensing and appointment of health personnel. |
13 | The public health authority may exercise, for such period as |
14 | the state of public health emergency exists, the following |
15 | emergency powers regarding licensing of health personnel: |
16 | (1) To appoint and prescribe the duties of such |
17 | emergency health care providers from other states as may be |
18 | reasonable and necessary for emergency response, subject to |
19 | the following provisions: |
20 | (i) The appointment of emergency health care |
21 | providers from other states pursuant to this section may |
22 | be for a limited or unlimited time, but shall not exceed |
23 | the termination of the state of public health emergency. |
24 | The public health authority may terminate the out-of- |
25 | State appointments at any time or for any reason provided |
26 | that such termination may not jeopardize the health, |
27 | safety and welfare of the people of this Commonwealth. |
28 | (ii) The public health authority may waive any or |
29 | all licensing requirements, permits or fees required by |
30 | State law and applicable orders, rules or regulations for |
|
1 | health care providers from other jurisdictions to |
2 | practice in this Commonwealth. |
3 | (iii) An emergency health care provider from another |
4 | state appointed pursuant to this section may not be held |
5 | liable for any civil damages as a result of medical care |
6 | or treatment related to the emergency response unless |
7 | such damages result from providing or failing to provide |
8 | medical care or treatment under circumstances |
9 | demonstrating a reckless disregard for the consequences |
10 | so as to affect the life or health of the patient. |
11 | (2) To authorize the medical examiner or coroner to |
12 | appoint and prescribe the duties of such emergency assistant |
13 | medical examiners or coroners as may be required for the |
14 | proper performance of the duties of the office, subject to |
15 | the following provisions: |
16 | (i) The appointment of emergency assistant medical |
17 | examiners or coroners pursuant to this section may be for |
18 | a limited or unlimited time, but shall not exceed the |
19 | termination of the state of public health emergency. The |
20 | medical examiner or coroner may terminate the emergency |
21 | appointments at any time or for any reason, provided that |
22 | the termination may not impede the performance of the |
23 | duties of the office. |
24 | (ii) The medical examiner or coroner may waive any |
25 | or all licensing requirements, permits or fees required |
26 | by State law and applicable orders, rules or regulations |
27 | for the performance of these duties. |
28 | (iii) An emergency assistant medical examiner or |
29 | coroner appointed pursuant to this section and acting |
30 | without malice and within the scope of the prescribed |
|
1 | duties shall be immune from civil liability in the |
2 | performance of such duties. |
3 | (f) Public Information Regarding Public |
4 | Health Emergency |
5 | Section 2551-D. Dissemination of information. |
6 | (a) General rule.--The public health authority shall inform |
7 | the people of this Commonwealth when a state of public health |
8 | emergency has been declared or terminated, how to protect |
9 | themselves and what actions are being taken to control the |
10 | emergency. |
11 | (b) Means of dissemination.--The public health authority |
12 | shall provide information by all available and reasonable means |
13 | calculated to bring the information promptly to the attention of |
14 | the general public. |
15 | (c) Languages.--If the public health authority has reason to |
16 | believe there are people of this Commonwealth who lack |
17 | sufficient skills in English to understand the information, the |
18 | public health authority shall make reasonable efforts to provide |
19 | the information in the primary languages of those people as well |
20 | as in English. |
21 | (d) Accessibility.--The provision of information shall be |
22 | made in a manner accessible to individuals with disabilities. |
23 | Section 2552-D. Provision of access to mental health support |
24 | personnel. |
25 | During and after a state of public health emergency, the |
26 | public health authority shall provide information about and |
27 | referrals to mental health support personnel to address |
28 | psychological responses to the public health emergency. |
29 | (g) Planning for Public Health Emergency |
30 | Section 2561-D. Public Health Emergency Planning Commission. |
|
1 | A Public Health Emergency Planning Commission is established |
2 | and shall consist of the secretaries, or their designees, of |
3 | agencies the Governor deems relevant to public health emergency |
4 | preparedness and any other persons chosen by the Governor. The |
5 | Governor shall designate the chairperson of the commission. |
6 | Section 2562-D. Public health emergency plan. |
7 | (a) Content.--The commission shall, within six months of its |
8 | appointment, deliver to the Governor a plan for responding to a |
9 | public health emergency that includes provisions for the |
10 | following: |
11 | (1) A means of notifying and communicating with the |
12 | population during a state of public health emergency in |
13 | compliance with this article. |
14 | (2) Centralized coordination of resources, manpower and |
15 | services, including coordination of responses by Federal, |
16 | State and local agencies. |
17 | (3) The location, procurement, storage, transportation, |
18 | maintenance and distribution of essential materials, |
19 | including medical supplies, drugs, vaccines, food, shelter |
20 | and beds. |
21 | (4) The continued, effective operation of the judicial |
22 | system, including, if deemed necessary, the identification |
23 | and training of personnel to serve as emergency judges |
24 | regarding matters of isolation and quarantine as described in |
25 | this article. |
26 | (5) The method of evacuating populations and housing and |
27 | feeding evacuated populations. |
28 | (6) The identification and training of health care |
29 | providers to diagnose and treat persons with infectious |
30 | diseases. |
|
1 | (7) Guidelines for the vaccination of persons, in |
2 | compliance with this article. |
3 | (8) Guidelines for the treatment of persons who have |
4 | been exposed to or who are infected with diseases or health |
5 | conditions caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic |
6 | disease or novel and highly fatal infectious agents or |
7 | biological toxins, that pose a substantial risk of a |
8 | significant number of fatalities or incidents of permanent or |
9 | long-term disability. The guidelines shall cover, but not be |
10 | limited to, the following diseases: anthrax, botulism, |
11 | smallpox, plague, tularemia and viral hemorrhagic fevers. |
12 | (9) Guidelines for the safe disposal of corpses, in |
13 | compliance with this article. |
14 | (10) Guidelines for the safe disposal of infectious |
15 | waste, in compliance with this article. |
16 | (11) Guidelines for the safe and effective management of |
17 | persons isolated, quarantined, vaccinated or treated during a |
18 | state of public health emergency. |
19 | (12) Tracking the source and outcomes of infected |
20 | persons. |
21 | (13) Ensuring that each municipality identifies the |
22 | following: |
23 | (i) Sites where persons may be isolated or |
24 | quarantined, with such sites complying with this article |
25 | regarding the least restrictive means for isolation and |
26 | quarantine and the requirements for the safety, health |
27 | and maintenance of personal dignity of those isolated or |
28 | quarantined. |
29 | (ii) Sites where medical supplies, food and other |
30 | essentials may be distributed to the population. |
|
1 | (iii) Sites where emergency workers may be housed |
2 | and fed. |
3 | (iv) Routes and means of transportation of people |
4 | and materials. |
5 | (14) Coordination with the Federal Government and other |
6 | states. |
7 | (15) Taking into account cultural norms, values and |
8 | traditions that may be relevant. |
9 | (16) Distribution of the plan and guidelines to those |
10 | persons who will be responsible for implementing the plan. |
11 | (17) Other measures necessary to carry out the purposes |
12 | of this article. |
13 | (b) Review.--The commission shall review its plan for |
14 | responding to a public health emergency every two years. |
15 | (h) Miscellaneous Provisions |
16 | Section 2571-D. Rules and regulations. |
17 | The public health authority is authorized to promulgate and |
18 | implement such rules and regulations as are reasonable and |
19 | necessary to implement and effectuate the provisions of this |
20 | article. |
21 | Section 2572-D. Enforcement. |
22 | (a) General rule.--The public health authority shall have |
23 | the power to enforce the provisions of this article through the |
24 | imposition of fines and penalties, the issuance of orders and |
25 | such other remedies as are provided by law. |
26 | (b) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be |
27 | construed to limit specific enforcement powers enumerated in |
28 | this article. |
29 | Section 2573-D. Financing and expenses. |
30 | (a) Transfer of funds.--Subject to subsection (c), the |
|
1 | Governor may transfer from any fund available to the Governor in |
2 | the State Treasury such sums as may be necessary to meet the |
3 | public health emergency. |
4 | (b) Repayment.--Moneys transferred pursuant to subsection |
5 | (a) shall be repaid to the fund from which they were transferred |
6 | when moneys become available for that purpose, by legislative |
7 | appropriation or otherwise. |
8 | (c) Conditions.--A transfer of funds by the Governor |
9 | pursuant to this section may be made only when one or more of |
10 | the following conditions exists: |
11 | (1) No appropriation or other authorization is available |
12 | to meet the public health emergency. |
13 | (2) An appropriation is insufficient to meet the public |
14 | health emergency. |
15 | (3) Federal moneys available for such a public health |
16 | emergency require the use of State or other public moneys. |
17 | (d) Expenses.--All expenses incurred by this Commonwealth |
18 | during a state of public health emergency shall be subject to |
19 | the following limitations: |
20 | (1) No expense shall be incurred against the moneys |
21 | authorized under this section, without the approval of the |
22 | Governor. |
23 | (2) The aggregate amount of all expenses incurred under |
24 | the provisions of this section shall not exceed $10,000,000 |
25 | for any fiscal year. |
26 | (3) Moneys authorized for a state of public health |
27 | emergency in prior fiscal years may be used in subsequent |
28 | fiscal years only for the public health emergency for which |
29 | they were authorized. Moneys authorized for a public health |
30 | emergency in prior fiscal years and expended in subsequent |
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1 | fiscal years for the public health emergency for which they |
2 | were authorized, apply toward the $10,000,000 expense limit |
3 | for the fiscal year in which they were authorized. |
4 | Section 2574-D. Liability. |
5 | (a) State immunity.--Neither the Commonwealth, its political |
6 | subdivisions, nor, except in cases of gross negligence or |
7 | willful misconduct, the Governor, the public health authority or |
8 | any other State official referenced in this article shall be |
9 | liable for the death of or any injury to persons or damage to |
10 | property as a result of complying with or attempting to comply |
11 | with this article or any rule or regulations promulgated |
12 | pursuant to this article. |
13 | (b) Private liability.-- |
14 | (1) During a state of public health emergency, no person |
15 | owning or controlling real estate or other premises who |
16 | voluntarily and without compensation grants a license or |
17 | privilege or otherwise permits the designation or use of the |
18 | whole or any part or parts of such real estate or premises |
19 | for the purpose of sheltering persons, together with that |
20 | person's successors in interest, if any, shall be civilly |
21 | liable for negligently causing the death of or injury to any |
22 | person on or about such real estate or premises under such |
23 | license, privilege or other permission or for negligently |
24 | causing loss of or damage to the property of such person. |
25 | (2) During a state of public health emergency, no |
26 | private person, firm or corporation and employees and agents |
27 | of such person, firm or corporation in the performance of a |
28 | contract with and under the direction of the Commonwealth or |
29 | its political subdivisions under the provisions of this |
30 | article shall be civilly liable for causing the death of or |
|
1 | injury to any person or damage to any property except in the |
2 | event of gross negligence or willful misconduct. |
3 | (3) During a state of public health emergency, no |
4 | private person, firm or corporation and employees and agents |
5 | of such person, firm or corporation who renders assistance or |
6 | advice at the request of the Commonwealth or its political |
7 | subdivisions under the provisions of this article shall be |
8 | civilly liable for causing the death of or injury to any |
9 | person or damage to any property except in the event of gross |
10 | negligence or willful misconduct. |
11 | (c) Applicability.--The immunities provided in this section |
12 | shall not apply to any private person, firm or corporation or |
13 | employees and agents of such person, firm or corporation whose |
14 | act or omission caused in whole or in part the public health |
15 | emergency and who would otherwise be liable therefor. |
16 | Section 2575-D. Compensation. |
17 | (a) Taking.--Compensation for property shall be made only if |
18 | private property is lawfully taken or appropriated by a public |
19 | health authority for its temporary or permanent use during a |
20 | state of public health emergency declared by the Governor |
21 | pursuant to this article. |
22 | (b) Actions.--Any action against the Commonwealth with |
23 | regard to the payment of compensation shall be brought in the |
24 | courts of this Commonwealth in accordance with existing court |
25 | laws and rules or any such rules that may be developed by the |
26 | courts for use during a state of public health emergency. |
27 | (c) Amount.--The amount of compensation shall be calculated |
28 | in the same manner as compensation due for taking of property |
29 | pursuant to eminent domain procedures, as provided in 26 Pa.C.S. |
30 | (relating to eminent domain), except that the amount of |
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1 | compensation calculated for items obtained under section 2536-D |
2 | shall be limited to the costs incurred to produce the item. |
3 | Section 2. The provisions of this act are severable. If any |
4 | provision of this act or its application to any person or |
5 | circumstances is held invalid in a Federal or State court having |
6 | jurisdiction, the invalidity will not affect other provisions or |
7 | applications of this act that can be given effect without the |
8 | invalid provision or application. |
9 | Section 3. This act does not explicitly preempt other laws |
10 | or regulations that preserve to a greater degree the powers of |
11 | the Governor or public health authority, provided such laws or |
12 | regulations are consistent and do not otherwise restrict or |
13 | interfere with the operation or enforcement of the provisions of |
14 | this act. |
15 | Section 4. This act shall not be construed to supersede any |
16 | provision of section 301 of the act of December 16, 2002 (P.L. |
17 | 1967, No.227), known as the Counterterrorism Planning, |
18 | Preparedness and Response Act. |
19 | Section 5. This act shall not be construed to restrict any |
20 | person from complying with Federal law or regulations. |
21 | Section 6. No later than 90 days after the effective date of |
22 | this act, and every 12 months thereafter, the Governor shall |
23 | transmit to the General Assembly a report that shall include: |
24 | (1) A description of the detection and tracking efforts |
25 | made under this act. |
26 | (2) A description of any state of public health |
27 | emergency declared under this act. |
28 | (3) A description of the emergency powers utilized under |
29 | this act. |
30 | (4) A description of the moneys transferred and |
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1 | liabilities and expenses incurred under this act. |
2 | Section 7. This act shall take effect immediately. |
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