VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

• Code of Virginia
• Virginia Administrative Code
• Constitution of Virginia
• Charters
• Authorities
• Compacts
• Uncodified Acts
• RIS Users (account required)

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

• Bills & Resolutions
  session legislation
• Bill Summaries
  session summaries
• Reports to the General Assembly
  House and Senate documents
• Legislative Liaisons
  State agency contacts

ACROSS SESSIONS

• Subject Index: Since 1995
• Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
• Summaries: Since 1994

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2002 SESSION

• history | hilite | pdf | print version

027289884
HOUSE BILL NO. 882 Offered January 9, 2002 Prefiled January 9, 2002 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-11.5, relating to the establishment of a bioterrorism unit within the Virginia Department of Health. ----------
Patrons-- Phillips, Armstrong, Bland, Christian, Crittenden, Darner, Hull, Jones, D.C., Miles, Scott, Shuler, Van Yahres and Watts
---------- Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 32.1-11.5 as follows:

§ 32.1-11.5. Response to bioterrorism.

A. Pursuant to and consistent with the Board of Health's responsibilities for safeguarding environmental health, reporting and prevention of diseases and disorders, including those disorders caused by toxins, the Board shall reorganize or create a structure within the present organization of the Department of Health to prevent, manage, and respond to any critical event or emergency resulting from bioterrorism.

B. The Department of Health's bioterrorism unit shall:

1. Monitor the disease reporting requirements of the Board pursuant to § 32.1-35;

2. Advise the Board on any known emerging risks from pathogens or toxins;

3. Cooperate and coordinate the response to any epidemic of disease caused by or appearing to be caused by bioterrorism with state and local law enforcement and emergency management officials;

4. Conduct contact tracing and surveillance of disease incidence;

5. Develop a mechanism for immediately advising the Governor of any sudden unexpected incident of a disease that has been believed to be under control or eliminated; and

6. Implement a health plan for emergency response to unexpected health hazards that designates the role of the Commonwealth's hospitals, nursing homes, emergency medical services, and health care practitioners.

2. That the Board of Health shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this act to be effective within 280 days of its enactment.