# Subtitle 4 – Controlling Communicable Diseases

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 4-401 “Communicable disease” defined.

Balt., Md., Code § 4-401 (2026)

In this subtitle, “communicable disease” means any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease or condition that the Commissioner specifies by rule or regulation adopted under <cite data-path="|health|§2-106">§ 2-106 {“Rules and regulations”} of this article</cite> for purposes of this subtitle.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

*History: Text Conformed 03/10/21*

## § 4-402 Investigations generally.

Balt., Md., Code § 4-402 (2026)

The Commissioner may investigate any report of a case or suspected case of a communicable disease or communicable disease carrier, to determine the source of infection and the need for restricting movement or isolating affected individuals.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 4-403 Examinations of individuals.

Balt., Md., Code § 4-403 (2026)

(a)

  (1) Except as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, this section applies to any individual:

    (i) who has or whom the Commissioner of Health suspects on reasonable grounds of having a communicable disease;

    (ii) who is or whom the Commissioner suspects on reasonable grounds of being a communicable disease carrier; or

    (iii) who is or whom the Commissioner suspects on reasonable grounds of having been in contact with any individual described in item (i) or (ii) of this subsection.

  (2) This section may not be applied to interfere with any individual who is a bona fide practicing Christian Scientist and who receives treatment from registered Christian Science practitioners.

(b) On request of the Commissioner, any individual described in subsection (a) of this section must, for the purpose of determining if she or he has a communicable disease or is a carrier:

  (1) undergo a medical examination; and

  (2) submit specimens of body fluids, secretion, excretion, or discharge for laboratory examination.

(c) The medical examination may be made by:

  (1) the Commissioner or a physician selected by the Commissioner; or

  (2) at the option of the individual to be examined, any physician qualified to make this sort of examination.

(d) The examining physician must promptly report the results of the examination to the Commissioner.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 4-404 Action to prevent spread; public notice of disease.

Balt., Md., Code § 4-404 (2026)

Whenever a communicable disease is found to exist, the Commissioner may:

(1) take all possible action to prevent the disease from spreading; and

(2) give public notice of the disease and of affected places, by all means that the Commissioner believes would be effective, including the posting of affected places.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 4-405 Vacating premises.

Balt., Md., Code § 4-405 (2026)

(a) Whenever an infectious agent is discovered in any dwelling or other building that is overcrowded, in a filthy and neglected state, or located in an unhealthy or crowded part of the City, the Commissioner, with the approval of the Mayor, may require the inhabitants of the building to move elsewhere while the City cleans and disinfects the building.

(b) All expenses incurred under this section for moving, temporary housing, cleaning, and disinfecting are to be borne by the City.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 4-406 Medical isolation — in general.

Balt., Md., Code § 4-406 (2026)

In the rules and regulations adopted under <cite data-path="|health|§2-106">§ 2-106 {“Rules and regulations”} of this article</cite>, the Commissioner may require the medical isolation of individuals having a communicable or potentially communicable disease or condition dangerous to the public health.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

*History: Text Conformed 03/10/21*

## § 4-407 Medical isolation — court papers to be sealed.

Balt., Md., Code § 4-407 (2026)

In any court proceeding brought to enforce a medical isolation, all papers filed with the court:

(1) must be sealed; and

(2) may be inspected only by order of the court, on notice to the individual named in those papers and for good cause shown.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## §§ 4-408 to 4-409

Balt., Md., Code § 4-408 to 4-409 (2026)

Reserved

## § 4-410 Prohibited conduct.

Balt., Md., Code § 4-410 (2026)

No person may:

(1) refuse, neglect, or otherwise fail to undergo an examination as required by § 4-403{“Examinations of individuals”} of this subtitle;

(2) remove or deface any notice posted under <cite data-path="|health|§4-404">§ 4-404 {“Action to prevent spread; public notice of disease”} of this subtitle</cite>;

(3) refuse, neglect, or otherwise fail to comply fully with an order for medical isolation issued under authority of <cite data-path="|health|§4-406">§ 4-406 {“Medical isolation”} of this subtitle</cite>;

(4) needlessly expose others to the risk of a communicable disease, whether by exposure of him- or herself, another person, a dead body, or any infected material; or

(5) otherwise, by reason of non-cooperation or carelessness, endanger the public health.

*History: Ord. 99-548*