26:13-14 Powers of commissioner during public health emergency.

14. During a state of public health emergency, the commissioner may exercise the following powers as necessary to address the public health:

a. Require the vaccination of persons as protection against infectious disease and to prevent the spread of a contagious or possibly contagious disease, except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection.

(1) Vaccination may be performed by any person authorized to do so under State law.

(2) No vaccine shall be administered without obtaining the informed consent of the person to be vaccinated.

(3) To prevent the spread of a contagious or possibly contagious disease, the commissioner may issue and enforce orders for the isolation or quarantine, pursuant to section 15 of this act, of persons who are unable or unwilling to undergo vaccination pursuant to this section.

b. Require and specify in consultation with and upon the concurrence of the Department of Environmental Protection and the State Office of Emergency Management, the procedures for the decontamination of persons, personal property, property and facilities exposed to or contaminated with biological agents, chemical weapons or release of nuclear or radiological devices.

c. Require, direct, provide, specify or arrange for the treatment of persons exposed to or infected with disease.

(1) Treatment may be administered by any person authorized to do so under State law.

(2) To prevent the spread of a contagious or possibly contagious disease, the commissioner may issue and enforce orders for the isolation or quarantine, pursuant to section 15 of this act, of persons who are unable or unwilling for reasons of health, religion or conscience to undergo treatment pursuant to this section.

L.2005,c.222,s.14.