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<section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="18-906" title_number="18" title_name="Disease Prevention" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Catastrophic Health Emergency Disease Surveillance and Response Program">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>If the Secretary requires an individual or a group of individuals to go to and remain in places of isolation or quarantine under § 18–905 of this subtitle, the Secretary shall issue a directive to the individual or group of individuals.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The directive shall specify:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The identity of the individual or group of individuals subject to isolation or quarantine;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The premises subject to isolation or quarantine;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The date and time at which isolation or quarantine commences;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>The suspected deadly agent causing the outbreak or disease, if known;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>The basis upon which isolation or quarantine is justified; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>The availability of a hearing to contest the directive.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <level label="i">
        <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the directive shall be in writing and given to the individual or group of individuals prior to the individual or group of individuals being required to go to and remain in places of isolation and quarantine.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <level label="1">
          <text>If the Secretary determines that the notice required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is impractical because of the number of individuals or geographical areas affected, the Secretary shall ensure that the affected individuals are fully informed of the directive using the best possible means available.</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>If the directive applies to a group of individuals and it is impractical to provide written individual copies under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the written directive may be posted in a conspicuous place in the isolation or quarantine premises.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>An individual or group of individuals isolated or quarantined under subsection (a) of this section may request a hearing in circuit court contesting the isolation or quarantine.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A request for a hearing may not stay or enjoin an isolation or quarantine directive.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Upon receipt of a request under this subsection, the court shall conduct a hearing within 3 days from receipt of the request.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <level label="i">
        <text>In any proceedings brought for relief under this subsection, the court may extend the time for a hearing upon a showing by the Secretary or other designated official that extraordinary circumstances exist that justify the extension.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>In granting or denying an extension, the court shall consider the rights of the affected individual, the protection of the public health, the severity of the catastrophic health emergency, and the availability, if necessary, of witnesses and evidence.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <level label="i">
        <level label="1">
          <text>The court shall grant the request for relief unless the court determines that the isolation or quarantine directive is necessary and reasonable to prevent or reduce the spread of the disease or outbreak believed to have been caused by the exposure to a deadly agent.</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>If feasible, in making a determination under this subparagraph, the court may consider the means of transmission, the degree of contagion, and, to the extent possible, the degree of public exposure to the disease.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <level label="1">
          <text>An order authorizing the isolation or quarantine issued under this paragraph shall:</text>
        </level>
        <level label="A">
          <text>Identify the isolated or quarantined individual or group of individuals by name or shared characteristics;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="B">
          <text>Specify factual findings warranting isolation or quarantine; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="C">
          <text>Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, be in writing and given to the individual or group of individuals.</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>If the court determines that the notice required in subsubparagraph 1C of this subparagraph is impractical because of the number of individuals or geographical areas affected, the court shall ensure that the affected individuals are fully informed of the order using the best possible means available.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>An order authorizing isolation or quarantine is effective for a period not to exceed 30 days.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <level label="1">
          <text>Prior to the expiration of an order, the Secretary or designated official may move to continue isolation or quarantine for subsequent 30–day periods.</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>The court shall base its decision on the standards provided under this paragraph.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>In the event that an individual cannot personally appear before the court, proceedings may be conducted:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>By an individual’s authorized representative; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Through any means that allow other individuals to fully participate.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>In any proceedings brought under this subsection, the court may order the consolidation of individual claims into group claims where:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The number of individuals involved or affected is so large as to render individual participation impractical;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>There are questions of law or fact common to the individual claims or rights to be determined;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The group claims or rights to be determined are typical of the affected individual’s claims or rights; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>The entire group will be adequately represented in the consolidation.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The court shall appoint counsel to represent individuals or a group of individuals who are not otherwise represented by counsel.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Supreme Court of Maryland shall develop emergency rules of procedure to facilitate the efficient adjudication of any proceedings brought under this section.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>It shall be unlawful for any public or private employer to discharge an employee who is under an order of isolation or quarantine or because of such an order.</text>
  </level>
</section>
