http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/BT/2001/0/HB2261P3114.HTM
PRINTER'S NO. 3114 |
No. 2261
Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY STURLA, FAIRCHILD, SOLOBAY, HUTCHINSON, CORRIGAN, BELFANTI, CAPPELLI, FRANKEL, GEORGE, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HORSEY, JAMES, JOSEPHS, LESCOVITZ, MANDERINO, McGEEHAN, MELIO, TURZAI, PALLONE, SAINATO, SCHULER, STABACK, STEELMAN, THOMAS, TIGUE, VEON, WANSACZ, WOJNAROSKI, YOUNGBLOOD AND CURRY, JANUARY 2, 2002 |
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, JANUARY 2, 2002 |
AN ACT 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 |
1 hereby enacts as follows: 2 Section 1. The act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known 3 as The Administrative Code of 1929, is amended by adding an 4 article to read: 5 ARTICLE XXV-D 6 EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS AND PROCEDURES 7 (a) Preliminary Provisions 8 Section 2501-D. Short title. 9 This article shall be known and may be cited as the Emergency 10 Health Powers Act. 11 Section 2502-D. Legislative findings. 12 The General Assembly finds that: 13 (1) The Commonwealth must do more to protect the health, 14 safety and general well-being of its citizens. 15 (2) New and emerging dangers, including emergent and 16 resurgent infectious diseases and incidents of civilian mass 17 casualties, pose serious and immediate threats. 18 (3) A renewed focus on the prevention, detection, 19 management and containment of public health emergencies is 20 called for. 21 (4) Emergency health threats, including those caused by 22 bioterrorism and epidemics, require the exercise of 23 extraordinary government functions. 24 (5) The Commonwealth must have the ability to respond 25 rapidly and effectively to potential or actual public health 26 emergencies. 27 (6) The exercise of emergency health powers must promote 28 the common good. 29 (7) Emergency health powers must be grounded in a 30 thorough scientific understanding of public health threats 20020H2261B3114 - 2 - |
1 and disease transmission. 2 (8) Guided by principles of justice, it is the duty of 3 the Commonwealth to act with fairness and tolerance toward 4 individuals and groups. 5 (9) The rights of people to liberty, bodily integrity 6 and privacy must be respected to the fullest extent possible 7 consistent with the overriding importance of the public's 8 health and security. 9 (10) This article is necessary to protect the health and 10 safety of the citizens of this Commonwealth. 11 Section 2503-D. Purposes. 12 The purposes of this article are to: 13 (1) Authorize the collection of data and records, the 14 control of property, the management of persons and access to 15 communications. 16 (2) Facilitate the early detection of a health emergency 17 and allow for immediate investigation of such an emergency by 18 granting access to individuals' health information under 19 specified circumstances. 20 (3) Grant State officials the authority to use and 21 appropriate property as necessary for the care, treatment and 22 housing of patients and for the destruction of contaminated 23 materials. 24 (4) Grant State officials the authority to provide care 25 and treatment to persons who are ill or who have been exposed 26 to infection and to separate affected individuals from the 27 population at large for the purpose of interrupting the 28 transmission of infectious disease. 29 (5) Ensure that the needs of infected or exposed persons 30 will be addressed to the fullest extent possible given the 20020H2261B3114 - 3 - |
1 primary goal of controlling serious health threats. 2 (6) Provide State officials with the ability to prevent, 3 detect, manage and contain emergency health threats without 4 unduly interfering with civil rights and liberties. 5 (7) Require the development of a comprehensive plan to 6 provide for a coordinated, appropriate response in the event 7 of a public health emergency. 8 Section 2504-D. Definitions. 9 The following words and phrases when used in this article 10 shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 11 context clearly indicates otherwise: 12 "Bioterrorism." The intentional use of any microorganism, 13 virus, infectious substance or biological product that may be 14 engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally 15 occurring or bioengineered component of any such microorganism, 16 virus, infectious substance or biological product to cause 17 death, disease or other biological malfunction in a human, 18 animal, plant or another living organism in order to influence 19 the conduct of government or to intimidate or coerce a civilian 20 population. 21 "Chain of custody." The methodology of tracking specimens 22 for the purpose of maintaining control and accountability from 23 initial collection to final disposition of the specimens and 24 providing for accountability at each stage of collecting, 25 handling, testing, storing and transporting the specimens and 26 reporting test results. 27 "Commission." The Public Health Emergency Planning 28 Commission. 29 "Contagious disease." An infectious disease that can be 30 transmitted from person to person, animal to person or insect to 20020H2261B3114 - 4 - |
1 person. 2 "Health care facility." A non-Federal institution, building 3 or agency, or portion thereof, whether for profit or nonprofit, 4 that is used, operated or designed to provide health services, 5 medical treatment or nursing, rehabilitative or preventive care 6 to any person or persons. The term includes, but is not limited 7 to, ambulatory surgical facilities, health maintenance 8 organizations, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, 9 infirmaries, intermediate care facilities, kidney treatment 10 centers, long-term care facilities, medical assistance 11 facilities, mental health centers, outpatient facilities, public 12 health centers, rehabilitation facilities, residential treatment 13 facilities, skilled nursing facilities and adult day-care 14 centers. The term also includes, but is not limited to, the 15 following related property when used for or in connection with 16 the foregoing: laboratories, research facilities, pharmacies, 17 laundry facilities, health personnel training and lodging 18 facilities, patient, guest and health personnel food service 19 facilities and offices and office buildings for persons engaged 20 in health care professions or services. 21 "Health care provider." A person or entity who provides 22 health care services. The term includes, but is not limited to, 23 hospitals, medical clinics and offices, special care facilities, 24 medical laboratories, physicians, pharmacists, dentists, 25 physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered and other 26 nurses, paramedics, emergency medical or laboratory technicians 27 and ambulance and emergency medical workers. 28 "Infectious disease." A disease caused by a living organism, 29 which disease may or may not be transmissible from person to 30 person, animal to person or insect to person. 20020H2261B3114 - 5 - |
1 "Infectious waste." Any of the following: 2 (1) Biological waste, including blood and blood 3 products, excretions, exudates, secretions, suctioning and 4 other body fluids and waste materials saturated with blood or 5 body fluids. 6 (2) Cultures and stocks, including etiologic agents and 7 associated biologicals, specimen cultures and dishes and 8 devices used to transfer, innoculate and mix cultures, wastes 9 from production of biologicals and serums and discarded live 10 and attenuated vaccines. 11 (3) Pathological waste, including biopsy materials and 12 all human tissues, anatomical parts that emanate from 13 surgery, obstetrical procedures, autopsy and laboratory 14 procedures and animal carcasses exposed to pathogens in 15 research and the bedding and other waste from such animals, 16 but not including teeth or formaldehyde or other preservative 17 agents. 18 (4) Sharps, including needles, IV tubing with needles 19 attached, scalpel blades, lancets, glass tubes that could be 20 broken during handling and syringes that have been removed 21 from their original sterile containers. 22 "Isolation." The compulsory physical separation, including 23 the restriction of movement or confinement, of individuals or 24 groups believed to have been exposed to or known to have been 25 infected with a contagious disease from individuals who are 26 believed not to have been exposed or infected, in order to 27 prevent or limit the transmission of the disease to others. 28 "Mental health support personnel." This term includes, but 29 is not limited to, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers 30 and volunteer crisis counseling groups. 20020H2261B3114 - 6 - |
1 "Protected health information." Information, whether oral, 2 written, electronic, visual, pictorial, physical or any other 3 form that relates to an individual's past, present or future 4 physical or mental health status, condition, treatment, service, 5 products purchased or provision of care, and that reveals the 6 identity of the individual whose health care is the subject of 7 the information, or where there is a reasonable basis to believe 8 such information could be utilized, either alone or with other 9 information that is or should reasonably be known to be 10 available to predictable recipients of such information, to 11 reveal the identity of that individual. 12 "Public health authority." The Department of Health, a local 13 government agency that acts principally to protect or preserve 14 the public's health, a person authorized to act on behalf of the 15 Department of Health or local public health agency. 16 "Public health emergency." An occurrence or imminent threat 17 of an illness or health condition, caused by bioterrorism, 18 epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and highly fatal 19 infectious agent or biological toxin, that poses a substantial 20 risk of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of 21 permanent or long-term disability, where such illness or health 22 condition includes, but is not limited to, an illness or health 23 condition resulting from a natural disaster. 24 "Public safety authority." The Pennsylvania Emergency 25 Management Agency, a local government agency that acts 26 principally to protect or preserve the public safety or a person 27 authorized to act on behalf of the Pennsylvania Emergency 28 Management Agency or local agency. 29 "Quarantine." The term shall have the same meaning as the 30 term "isolation." 20020H2261B3114 - 7 - |
1 "Specimens." The term includes, but is not limited to, 2 blood, sputum, urine, stool, other bodily fluids, wastes, 3 tissues and cultures necessary to perform required tests. 4 "Tests." The term includes, but is not limited to, any 5 diagnostic or investigative analysis necessary to prevent the 6 spread of disease or protect the public's health, safety and 7 welfare. 8 (b) Measures to Detect and Track Potential and Existing 9 Public Health Emergencies 10 Section 2511-D. Reporting. 11 (a) Illness or health condition.-- 12 (1) A health care provider, coroner or medical examiner 13 shall report all cases of persons who harbor any illness or 14 health condition that may be caused by bioterrorism, epidemic 15 or pandemic disease or novel and highly fatal infectious 16 agents or biological toxins and might pose a substantial risk 17 of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of 18 permanent or long-term disability. 19 (2) Such illnesses and health conditions include, but 20 are not limited to, the diseases caused by the biological 21 agents listed in 42 CFR 72, App. A and any illnesses or 22 health conditions identified by the public health authority 23 as potential causes of a public health emergency. 24 (b) Pharmacists.-- 25 (1) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) 26 for health care providers, a pharmacist shall report any 27 unusual or increased prescription rates, unusual types of 28 prescriptions or unusual trends in pharmacy visits that may 29 be caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease or 30 novel and highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins 20020H2261B3114 - 8 - |
1 and might pose a substantial risk of a significant number of 2 human fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term 3 disability. 4 (2) Prescription-related events that require a report 5 include, but are not limited to, any of the following: 6 (i) An unusual increase in the number of 7 prescriptions to treat fever, respiratory or 8 gastrointestinal complaints. 9 (ii) An unusual increase in the number of 10 prescriptions for antibiotics. 11 (iii) An unusual increase in the number of requests 12 for information on over-the-counter pharmaceuticals to 13 treat fever, respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints. 14 (iv) Any prescription that treats a disease that is 15 relatively uncommon and has bioterrorism potential. 16 (c) Manner of reporting.--The report shall be made in 17 writing within 24 hours to the public health authority. The 18 report shall include the following information, if available: 19 (1) The patient's name, date of birth, sex, race and 20 current address, including municipality and county. 21 (2) The name and address of the health care provider, 22 coroner or medical examiner and of the reporting individual, 23 if different. 24 (3) Any other information needed to locate the patient 25 for follow up. 26 (4) For cases related to animal or insect bites, the 27 suspected locating information of the biting animal or insect 28 and the name and address of any known owner. 29 (d) Animal diseases.-- 30 (1) A veterinarian, livestock owner, veterinary 20020H2261B3114 - 9 - |
1 diagnostic laboratory director or other person having the 2 care of animals shall report animals having or suspected of 3 having any disease that may be caused by bioterrorism, 4 epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and highly fatal 5 infectious agents or biological toxins and might pose a 6 substantial risk of a significant number of human and animal 7 fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. 8 (2) The report shall be made in writing within 24 hours 9 to the public health authority and shall include the 10 following information, if available: 11 (i) The suspected locating information of the 12 animal. 13 (ii) The name and address of any known owner. 14 (iii) The name and address of the reporting 15 individual. 16 (e) Enforcement.--The public health authority may enforce 17 the provisions of this section in accordance with existing 18 enforcement rules and regulations. 19 (f) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "health 20 care provider" includes an out-of-State medical laboratory, 21 provided that the laboratory has agreed to the reporting 22 requirements of this Commonwealth. Results must be reported by 23 the laboratory that performs the test, but a laboratory in this 24 Commonwealth that sends specimens to a laboratory outside this 25 Commonwealth shall also report the results. 26 Section 2512-D. Tracking. 27 (a) General rule.--The public health authority shall: 28 (1) Ascertain the existence of cases of an illness or 29 health condition caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic 30 disease or novel and highly fatal infectious agent or 20020H2261B3114 - 10 - |
1 biological toxin that poses a substantial risk of a 2 significant number of human fatalities or incidents of 3 permanent or long-term disability. 4 (2) Investigate all such cases for sources of infection 5 and ensure that they are subject to proper control measures. 6 (3) Define the distribution of the illness or health 7 condition. 8 (b) Identification of exposed individuals.--To fulfill these 9 duties, the public health authority shall identify exposed 10 individuals as follows: 11 (1) Acting on information developed in accordance with 12 section 2511-D or other reliable information, the public 13 health authority shall identify all individuals thought to 14 have been exposed to an illness or health condition caused by 15 bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and 16 highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins that 17 poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human 18 fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. 19 (2) The public health authority shall counsel and 20 interview such individuals as appropriate to assist in the 21 positive identification of exposed individuals and develop 22 information relating to the source and spread of the illness 23 or health condition. Such information includes the name and 24 address, including city and county, of any person from whom 25 the illness or health condition may have been contracted and 26 to whom the illness or health condition may have spread. 27 (3) The public health authority shall, for examination 28 purposes, close, evacuate or decontaminate any facility or 29 decontaminate or destroy any material when the authority 30 reasonably suspects that such facility or material may 20020H2261B3114 - 11 - |
1 endanger the public health. 2 (c) Enforcement.--An order of the public health authority 3 given to effectuate the purposes of this section shall be 4 enforceable immediately by the public safety authority. 5 Section 2513-D. Information sharing. 6 (a) Duty of public safety authority.--Whenever the public 7 safety authority learns of a case of a reportable illness or 8 health condition, an unusual cluster or a suspicious event, it 9 shall immediately notify the public health authority. 10 (b) Duty of public health authority.--Whenever the public 11 health authority learns of a case of a reportable illness or 12 health condition, an unusual cluster or a suspicious event that 13 it reasonably believes has the potential to be caused by 14 bioterrorism, it shall immediately notify the appropriate public 15 safety authority and Federal health and public safety 16 authorities. 17 (c) Limitation.--Sharing of information on reportable 18 illnesses, health conditions, unusual clusters or suspicious 19 events between authorized personnel shall be limited to 20 information necessary for the treatment, control, investigation 21 and prevention of a public health emergency. 22 (c) Declaring State of Public Health Emergency 23 Section 2521-D. Standards for declaration. 24 (a) Declaration by Governor.-- 25 (1) A state of public health emergency shall be declared 26 by the Governor if the Governor finds an occurrence or 27 imminent threat of an illness or health condition caused by 28 bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and 29 highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins that 30 poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human 20020H2261B3114 - 12 - |
1 fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. 2 The declaration shall be published as a notice in the 3 Pennsylvania Bulletin. 4 (2) To make such a finding, the Governor shall consult 5 with the public health authority and may consult with any 6 public health and other experts as needed. 7 (b) Construction.--Nothing in the duty of the Governor to 8 consult with the public health authority or the discretion to 9 consult with public health or other experts shall be construed 10 to limit the Governor's authority to act without such 11 consultation when the situation calls for prompt and timely 12 action. 13 Section 2522-D. Procedures for declaration. 14 The state of public health emergency shall be declared by an 15 executive order that indicates: 16 (1) The nature of the public health emergency. 17 (2) The area that is or may be threatened. 18 (3) The conditions that have brought about the public 19 health emergency. 20 Section 2523-D. Effect of declaration. 21 (a) General rule.--The declaration of a state of public 22 health emergency shall activate the disaster response and 23 recovery aspects of the State, local and interjurisdictional 24 disaster emergency plans in the affected political subdivision 25 or area. The declaration shall authorize the deployment and use 26 of any forces to which the plans apply and the use or 27 distribution of any supplies, equipment and materials and 28 facilities assembled, stockpiled or arranged to be made 29 available pursuant to this article. 30 (b) Emergency powers of Governor.--During a state of public 20020H2261B3114 - 13 - |
1 health emergency, the Governor may: 2 (1) Suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute 3 prescribing procedures for conducting State business or the 4 orders, rules and regulations of any State agency if strict 5 compliance with the same would prevent, hinder or delay 6 necessary action, including emergency purchases, by the 7 public health authority to respond to the public health 8 emergency and increase the health threat to the population. 9 The suspension shall be published as a notice in the 10 Pennsylvania Bulletin. 11 (2) Utilize all available resources of the State 12 government and its political subdivisions, as reasonably 13 necessary to respond to the public health emergency. 14 (3) Transfer the direction, personnel or functions of 15 State departments and agencies to perform or facilitate 16 response and recovery programs regarding the public health 17 emergency. 18 (4) Mobilize all or any part of the Pennsylvania 19 National Guard into service of the Commonwealth. An order 20 directing the Pennsylvania National Guard to report for 21 active duty shall state the purpose for which it is mobilized 22 and the objectives to be accomplished. 23 (5) Provide aid to and seek aid from other states in 24 accordance with any interstate emergency compact made with 25 the Commonwealth. 26 (c) Coordination by public health authority.--The public 27 health authority shall coordinate all matters pertaining to the 28 public health emergency response of the Commonwealth. The public 29 health authority shall have primary jurisdiction, responsibility 30 and authority for: 20020H2261B3114 - 14 - |
1 (1) Planning and executing public health emergency 2 assessment, mitigation, preparedness response and recovery 3 for the Commonwealth. 4 (2) Coordinating public health emergency response 5 between State and political subdivisions. 6 (3) Collaborating with relevant Federal Government 7 authorities, elected officials of other states, private 8 organizations or private sector companies. 9 (4) Coordinating recovery operations and mitigation 10 initiatives subsequent to public health emergencies. 11 (5) Organizing public information activities regarding 12 State public health emergency response operations. 13 (d) Identification.--After the declaration of a state of 14 public health emergency, special identification for all public 15 health personnel working during the emergency shall be issued by 16 the Governor or public health authority as soon as possible. The 17 identification shall indicate the authority of the bearer to 18 exercise public health functions and emergency powers during the 19 state of public health emergency. Public health personnel shall 20 wear the identification in plain view. 21 Section 2524-D. Enforcement. 22 During a state of public health emergency, the public health 23 authority may request assistance in enforcing orders pursuant to 24 this article from the public safety authority. The public safety 25 authority may request assistance, with the approval of the 26 Governor, from the Pennsylvania National Guard in enforcing the 27 orders of the public health authority. 28 Section 2525-D. Termination of declaration. 29 (a) Executive order.--The Governor shall terminate the state 30 of public health emergency by executive order upon finding that 20020H2261B3114 - 15 - |
1 the occurrence of an illness or health condition caused by 2 bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease or novel and highly 3 fatal infectious agents or biological toxins no longer poses a 4 substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or 5 incidents of permanent or long-term disability or that the 6 imminent threat of such an occurrence has passed. The executive 7 order shall be published as a notice in the Pennsylvania 8 Bulletin. 9 (b) Automatic termination.-- 10 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, 11 a state of public health emergency shall be terminated 12 automatically 30 days after its declaration unless renewed by 13 the Governor under the same standards and procedures set 14 forth in this article for a declaration of a state of public 15 health emergency. 16 (2) Any such renewal shall also be terminated 17 automatically after 30 days unless renewed by the Governor 18 under the same standards and procedures set forth in this 19 article for a declaration of a state of public health 20 emergency. 21 (c) State legislature.--By a two-thirds vote of both 22 chambers, the General Assembly may terminate a state of public 23 health emergency after 60 days from the date of original 24 declaration upon finding that the occurrence of an illness or 25 health condition caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic 26 disease or novel and highly fatal infectious agents or 27 biological toxins no longer poses a substantial risk of a 28 significant number of human fatalities or incidents of permanent 29 or long-term disability or that the imminent threat of such an 30 occurrence has passed. Such a termination by the General 20020H2261B3114 - 16 - |
1 Assembly shall supersede any renewal by the Governor. 2 (d) Content of termination order.--All orders terminating a 3 state of public health emergency shall indicate: 4 (1) The nature of the emergency. 5 (2) The area that was threatened. 6 (3) The conditions that make possible the termination of 7 the state of public health emergency. 8 (d) Control of Property during State of Public 9 Health Emergency 10 Section 2531-D. Emergency measures concerning dangerous 11 facilities and materials. 12 The public health authority may exercise, for such period as 13 the state of public health emergency exists, the following 14 powers: 15 (1) To close, direct and compel the evacuation of or to 16 decontaminate or cause to be decontaminated any facility of 17 which there is reasonable cause to believe that it may 18 endanger the public health. 19 (2) To decontaminate or cause to be decontaminated or 20 destroy any material of which there is reasonable cause to 21 believe that it may endanger the public health. 22 Section 2532-D. Access to and control of facilities and 23 property. 24 The public health authority may exercise, for such period as 25 the state of public health emergency exists, the following 26 powers concerning facilities, materials, roads or public areas: 27 (1) To procure, by condemnation or otherwise, construct, 28 lease, transport, store, maintain, renovate or distribute 29 materials and facilities as may be reasonable and necessary 30 for emergency response, with the right to take immediate 20020H2261B3114 - 17 - |
1 possession thereof. Such materials and facilities include, 2 but are not limited to, communication devices, carriers, real 3 estate, fuels, food, clothing and health care facilities. 4 (2) To compel a health care facility to provide services 5 or the use of its facility if such services or use are 6 reasonable and necessary for emergency response. The use of 7 the health care facility may include transferring the 8 management and supervision of the health care facility to the 9 public health authority for a limited or unlimited period of 10 time, but shall not exceed the termination of the state of 11 public health emergency. 12 (3) To control, restrict and regulate by rationing and 13 using quotas, prohibitions on shipments, price fixing, 14 allocation or other means, the use, sale, dispensing, 15 distribution or transportation of food, fuel, clothing and 16 other commodities, alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives 17 and combustibles, as may be reasonable and necessary for 18 emergency response. 19 (4) To prescribe routes, modes of transportation and 20 destinations in connection with evacuation of persons or the 21 provisions of emergency services. 22   |