reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter I. General Guidelines › § 508. Tracking of potential or existing public health emergencies.

§ 508. Tracking of potential or existing public health emergencies.
The Division of Public Health shall ascertain the existence of cases of an illness or health condition which may be potential causes of a public health emergency; shall investigate all such cases for sources of infection and shall ensure that they are subject to proper control measures; and shall define the distribution of the illness or health condition. To fulfill these duties, the Division of Public Health shall perform the following:
(1) Acting on information developed in accordance with § 130 of this title or other reliable information, the Division shall identify all individuals thought to have been exposed to an illness or health condition which may be a potential cause of a public health emergency.
(2) The Division shall counsel and interview such individuals as appropriate to assist in the positive identification of exposed individuals and develop information relating to the source and spread of the illness or health condition. Such information includes the name and address (including city and county) of any person from whom the illness or health condition may have been contracted and to whom the illness or health condition may have spread.
(3) The Division may close, evacuate or decontaminate any facility or decontaminate or destroy any material when the Division reasonably believes that it is more likely than not that such facility or material may seriously endanger the public health. However, to the extent practicable and consistent with the protection of public health, prior to the destruction of any material pursuant to this paragraph, the Division shall institute appropriate civil proceedings against the material to be destroyed in accordance with the existing laws and rules of the Superior Court or any rules that may be developed by the Superior Court. Additionally, a person whose property is destroyed pursuant to this paragraph is entitled to seek compensation pursuant to the procedures and restrictions of § 3145 of Title 20.
(4) An order of the Division given to effectuate the purposes of this section shall be enforceable immediately.
(5) Whenever any agency of the State learns of a case of a reportable illness or health condition, an unusual cluster, or a suspicious event, it shall immediately notify the Division.
(6) Whenever the Division learns of a case of a reportable illness or health condition, an unusual cluster, or a suspicious event that it reasonably believes has the potential to be caused by bioterrorism, it must immediately notify the public safety authority and federal health and public safety authorities.
(7) Definitions from § 3132 of Title 20 shall apply to this section.
73 Del. Laws, c. 355, §  10;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 520. Definitions.

§ 520. Definitions.
As used in this title, unless otherwise provided or the context requires a different meaning:
(1) “County Public Health Administrator” means the Division of Public Health employee responsible for managing the operations of all public health programs within an assigned county.
(2) “Designated transport personnel” means such personnel as designated by the Director to transport persons with tuberculosis to and from treatment and/or detention facilities, and other sites as ordered by the Director.
(3) “Directly Observed Therapy (DOT)” means treatment in which health care providers or other designated persons observe patients ingesting anti-TB medications.
(4) “Director” means the Director of the Division of Public Health, or such persons as may be designated by the Director.
(5) “Division” means the Division of Public Health or its authorized representatives, which includes therein all of the responsibilities afforded the State Board of Health as it appears elsewhere in this title.
(6) “Peace officer” means any public officer authorized by law to make arrests in a criminal case.
(7) “Tuberculosis (TB)” means a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is in the active stage as demonstrated by clinical, bacteriologic and/or radiographic evidence. Such persons who have not completed a course of anti-TB treatment are considered to have active TB and might be infectious.
(8) “Voluntary treatment” means a person voluntarily taking medications as prescribed and following the recommendations of the attending physician or the Division for the management of tuberculosis.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 521. Reporting by health-care providers.

§ 521. Reporting by health-care providers.
(a) Physicians, pharmacists, nurses, hospital administrators, medical examiners, morticians, laboratory administrators and others who provide health-care services to persons with tuberculosis or suspected tuberculosis shall report the following to the Division within 2 working days of its occurrence:
(1) Confirmed or suspected tuberculosis;
(2) The results for any person whose sputa, gastric contents or other specimens submitted for examination reveal the presence of tubercle bacilli;
(3) The occurrence of drug-resistant tuberculosis, even if the confirmed or suspected tuberculosis had been previously reported;
(4) Persons with tuberculosis who have demonstrated an inability to or an unwillingness to adhere to a prescribed treatment regimen, who refuse medication or who show other evidence of not taking medications as prescribed.
(b) Physicians, pharmacists, nurses, hospital administrators, medical examiners, morticians, laboratory administrators and others who provide health-care services to tuberculosis patients shall make their records available to the inspection of the Division when so requested in order to carry out the provisions of this title.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 522. Division investigates reported cases of tuberculosis.

§ 522. Division investigates reported cases of tuberculosis.
Whenever the Division shall discover, as a result of its own investigation or as a result of any report required by this chapter that any person may have tuberculosis, the Division shall investigate or further investigate the circumstances and if, after investigation, the Division is of the opinion that a case of tuberculosis has been found, the Division shall interview, or cause to be interviewed, said person in order to investigate the source and spread of the disease and in order to require said person to submit to examination and treatment as necessary. The Division shall keep record of all interventions with said persons.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 523. Voluntary treatment.

§ 523. Voluntary treatment.
Whenever the Division shall discover as a result of its own investigation or as a result of any report required by this chapter that any person has tuberculosis, the Division shall encourage the person to take voluntary treatment to meet the minimum requirements prescribed by the Division.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 524. Public health power to examine and order treatment [Effective until July 17, 2028].

§ 524. Public health power to examine and order treatment [Effective until July 17, 2028].
(a) Subject to the provisions of § 526 of this title, a person with tuberculosis or a person reasonably suspected of being diseased with or exposed to tuberculosis shall report for a complete examination or treatment, as appropriate, to a physician licensed under Title 24, or shall submit to an examination or treatment, as appropriate, at a public health facility. When a person has been diagnosed as having tuberculosis or has been determined to have been exposed to tuberculosis, said person shall continue to be prescribed treatment until such time as that treatment is no longer required as determined by the Director or, if the Director is not a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse designated by the Director and employed by the Division.
(b) Subject to the provisions of § 526 of this title, the Division shall examine or cause to be examined, or treat or cause to be treated, any person who will not respond to voluntary treatment for tuberculosis. The County Public Health Administrator shall go before the Director or, if the Director is not a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse designated by the Director and employed by the Division, for an order for involuntary examination and/or treatment of said person.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 524. Public health power to examine and order treatment [Effective July 17, 2028].

§ 524. Public health power to examine and order treatment [Effective July 17, 2028].
(a) Subject to the provisions of § 526 of this title, a person with tuberculosis or a person reasonably suspected of being diseased with or exposed to tuberculosis shall report for a complete examination or treatment, as appropriate, to a physician licensed under Title 24, or shall submit to an examination or treatment, as appropriate, at a public health facility. When a person has been diagnosed as having tuberculosis or has been determined to have been exposed to tuberculosis, said person shall continue to be prescribed treatment until such time as that treatment is no longer required as determined by the Director.
(b) Subject to the provisions of § 526 of this title, the Division shall examine or cause to be examined, or treat or cause to be treated, any person who will not respond to voluntary treatment for tuberculosis. The County Public Health Administrator shall go before the Director for a Director's order for involuntary examination and/or treatment of said person.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 9;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 525. Types of involuntary treatment: Outpatient examination and treatment, directly observed therapy, hospitalization and residential isolation [Effective until July 17, 2028].

§ 525. Types of involuntary treatment:
Outpatient examination and treatment, directly observed therapy, hospitalization and residential isolation [Effective until July 17, 2028].
(a) Subject to the provisions of § 526 of this title, the Director or, if the Director is not a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse designated by the Director and employed by the Division, shall order, as medically appropriate, a person with tuberculosis to undergo outpatient examination and treatment, directly observed therapy, hospitalization or isolation from the general public in the home, as a result of the threat of harm to the person and the probable spread of tuberculosis, until such time as the disease is cured or the risk of infection to the general public is eliminated or reduced in such a manner that a substantial threat to the public's health and welfare no longer exists.
(b) Subject to the provisions of § 526 of this title, a person who is infected with tuberculosis but is not infectious to others, and is a danger to oneself by resistance to treatment, and who refuses to adhere to a treatment regimen or to complete treatment, may be ordered by the Director or, if the Director is not a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse designated by the Director and employed by the Division, to undergo outpatient examination and treatment, directly observed therapy, hospitalization or isolation from the general public in the home, as a result of the increased risk that said persons will develop drug-resistant tuberculosis, which may pose a serious threat to the person and the general public.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 42, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 525. Types of involuntary treatment: Outpatient examination and treatment, directly observed therapy, hospitalization and residential isolation [Effective July 17, 2028].

§ 525. Types of involuntary treatment:
Outpatient examination and treatment, directly observed therapy, hospitalization and residential isolation [Effective July 17, 2028].
(a) Subject to the provisions of § 526 of this title, the Director shall order, as medically appropriate, a person with tuberculosis to undergo outpatient examination and treatment, directly observed therapy, hospitalization or isolation from the general public in the home, as a result of the threat of harm to the person and the probable spread of tuberculosis, until such time as the disease is cured or the risk of infection to the general public is eliminated or reduced in such a manner that a substantial threat to the public's health and welfare no longer exists.
(b) Subject to the provisions of § 526 of this title, a person who is infected with tuberculosis but is not infectious to others, and is a danger to oneself by resistance to treatment, and who refuses to adhere to a treatment regimen or to complete treatment, may be ordered by the Director to undergo outpatient examination and treatment, directly observed therapy, hospitalization or isolation from the general public in the home, as a result of the increased risk that said persons will develop drug-resistant tuberculosis, which may pose a serious threat to the person and the general public.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 42, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 9;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 527. Order for emergency treatment [Effective July 17, 2028]

§ 527. Order for emergency treatment [Effective July 17, 2028]
(a) The County Public Health Administrator shall file a petition before the Director requesting that emergency treatment be ordered for a person infected with, or reasonably suspected of having, tuberculosis when the County Public Health Administrator has clear and convincing evidence, documented as facts in the petition, that:
(1) The person has tuberculosis or is reasonably suspected of having tuberculosis;
(2) The person poses an imminent and substantial threat to that person's own self or the public health and welfare; and
(3) The person is unable, for whatever reason, to sufficiently protect that person's own health or that of the public or there is evidence that a person will act in such a way as to recklessly disregard the person's own health or the public's health; and
(4) The person is not likely to appear at a hearing scheduled pursuant to § 526 of this title; or
(5) The person provides evidence by words or action that the person is likely to leave the jurisdiction prior to the hearing date; or
(6) The person is likely to continue to expose the public to the risk of tuberculosis and, therefore, a hearing pursuant to § 526 of this title does not protect the public.
(b) No emergency treatment order shall be issued unless the Director finds that:
(1) The County Public Health Administrator has also requested in the emergency treatment petition a hearing pursuant to § 526 of this subchapter, as well as its subparts, to consider the examination, treatment or placement of the person with tuberculosis or reasonably suspected to have tuberculosis, providing all due process rights as stated in § 526 of this title;
(2) The County Public Health Administrator presents clear and convincing evidence that a substantial threat to the person or the public's health and welfare exists unless the emergency treatment order is issued;
(3) The County Public Health Administrator has no other reasonable alternative means of reducing the threat to the individual or public's health and welfare.
(c) When issuing an emergency treatment order, the Director shall direct a peace officer or other designated transport personnel to immediately transport the person with tuberculosis as so ordered by the Director. The peace officer shall take into custody and isolate the person in such a manner as required by the Director. The Division will notify the peace officer or other designated transport personnel concerning any necessary infection control procedures to be taken.
(d) In no case shall an emergency treatment order continue for more than 5 working days.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;  70 Del Laws, c. 186,, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 9;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 528. Service of notice and processes; duties of the peace officer [Effective until July 17, 2028].

§ 528. Service of notice and processes; duties of the peace officer [Effective until July 17, 2028].
(a) All notices required to be given, warrants, petitions, processes issued and orders entered pursuant to this subchapter shall be served by a peace officer of proper jurisdiction.
(b) The Director or, if the Director is not a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse designated by the Director and employed by the Division, in ordering directly observed therapy, hospitalization or isolation pursuant to this subchapter, shall when necessary direct the peace officer to take the person into their custody and immediately deliver them to the director of the facility named on the order. The Division shall consult with the peace officer concerning any necessary infection control procedures to be taken.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 528. Service of notice and processes; duties of the peace officer [Effective July 17, 2028].

§ 528. Service of notice and processes; duties of the peace officer [Effective July 17, 2028].
(a) All notices required to be given, warrants, petitions, processes issued and orders entered pursuant to this subchapter shall be served by a peace officer of proper jurisdiction.
(b) The Director, in ordering directly observed therapy, hospitalization or isolation pursuant to this subchapter, shall when necessary direct the peace officer to take the person into their custody and immediately deliver them to the director of the facility named on the order. The Division shall consult with the peace officer concerning any necessary infection control procedures to be taken.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 9;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 529. Right to appeal.

§ 529. Right to appeal.
Any person who is aggrieved by the entry of an order pursuant to this subchapter shall have 15 days within which to appeal the order to Superior Court. The Court shall convene a hearing as soon as practicable, but no later than 15 working days from the filing of the appeal. The Court shall receive the records of the administrative hearing, hear additional evidence at the request of either party and conduct a de novo review of the order. An appeal does not stay treatment.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 530. Exercise of religious freedom.

§ 530. Exercise of religious freedom.
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize or empower the medical treatment of any person who desires treatment by prayer or spiritual means, in the exercise of religious freedom; provided however, that said person shall be isolated or quarantined, or both, at the patient's expense, and while so quarantined or so isolated, or both, shall comply with all applicable sanitary rules, laws and regulations.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 531. Confidentiality.

§ 531. Confidentiality.
All information held by the Division relating to known or suspected cases of tuberculosis or exposure to tuberculosis shall be strictly confidential. Said information shall not be released or made public upon subpoena or otherwise, except that release may be made under the following circumstances:
(1) Release is made of medical or epidemiological information for statistical purposes so that no person can be identified; or
(2) Release is made of medical or epidemiological information with the consent of all persons identified in the information released; or
(3) Release is made of medical or epidemiological information to medical personnel, appropriate state agencies or state courts to the extent required to enforce the provisions of this chapter and related rules and regulations concerning the control and treatment of tuberculosis; or
(4) Release is made of medical or epidemiological information to medical personnel in a medical emergency to the extent necessary to protect the health or life of the named party or group of persons; or
(5) Release is made during the course of civil or criminal litigation to a person allowed access to said records by a court order which is issued in compliance with the following provisions:
a. No court of this State shall issue such order unless the court finds that the person seeking the records and information has demonstrated a compelling need for such records which cannot be accommodated by other means. In assessing compelling need, the court shall weigh the need for disclosure against the privacy interest of the subject and the public interest which may be disserved by disclosure which deters future testing and treatment or which may lead to discrimination.
b. Pleadings pertaining to disclosure of such records shall substitute a pseudonym for the true name of the subject of the records. The disclosure to the parties of the subject's true name shall be communicated confidentially, in documents not filed with the court.
c. Before granting any such order, the court shall provide the subject whose records are in question with notice and a reasonable opportunity to participate in the proceedings if the subject is not already a party.
d. Court proceedings as to disclosure of such records shall be conducted in camera unless the subject agrees to a hearing in open court or unless the court determines that a public hearing is necessary to the public interest and the proper administration of justice.
e. Upon issuance of an order to disclose such records, the court shall impose appropriate safeguards against unauthorized disclosure, which shall specify the persons who may have access to the information, the purposes for which the information shall be used and appropriate prohibition on future disclosures.
69 Del. Laws, c. 305, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 5. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES GENERALLY › Subchapter II. Tuberculosis Control › § 532. Health emergencies.

§ 532. Health emergencies.
The provisions of this subchapter are subject to the provisions of Title 20. Provisions of Title 20 which conflict with provisions of this subchapter shall take precedence over this subchapter.
73 Del. Laws, c. 355, §  11;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 6. STREPTOCOCCAL DETECTION PROGRAM › § 601. Enumeration of streptococcal infections.

§ 601. Enumeration of streptococcal infections.
Streptococcal infections are declared to be contagious, infectious, communicable and dangerous to the public health.
60 Del. Laws, c. 491, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 6. STREPTOCOCCAL DETECTION PROGRAM › § 602. General powers of Secretary.

§ 602. General powers of Secretary.
(a) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services shall make such rules and regulations as in his or her judgment are necessary for the detection of the disease and for the care, control and treatment of persons infected therewith, as the Secretary from time to time deems advisable.
(b) The Secretary may operate the program through the Infectious Disease Laboratory of the Wilmington Medical Center and shall make it available to the general public through cooperating physicians and public school systems in the State.
60 Del. Laws, c. 491, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 701. Definitions.

§ 701. Definitions.
(a) “Director” means the Director of the Division of Public Health or the Director's authorized deputies within their respective jurisdictions.
(b) “Expedited partner therapy” means the clinical practice of treating the sex partners of patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease without clinical assessment of the partners.
(c) “Health-care practitioner” means a physician or an individual licensed and authorized to prescribe under Title 24.
(d) “Health-care professional” means any physician, nurse, laboratory or blood bank technologist or technician, and any others whose professions involve the diagnosis, care, or treatment of individuals or the testing of bodily specimens for the purpose of finding evidence of disease.
(e) “Health facility” means a hospital, nursing home, clinic, blood bank, blood center, sperm bank, laboratory, or other health-care institution whether public or private.
(f) “Invasive medical procedures” means surgical entry into tissues, cavities, or organs.
(g) “Sexually transmitted diseases” or “STD” (formerly referred to as “venereal diseases”), means diseases designated by the Department of Health and Social Services as reportable through rules and regulations published by the Department of Health and Social Services under § 702 of this title upon finding that such disease meets both of the following:
(1) Cause significant morbidity and mortality.
(2) Can be screened, diagnosed, and treated in a public health control program, or if not, are a major public health concern such that surveillance of disease occurrence is in the public interest.
(h) “Suspect” means an individual falling into 1 or more of the following categories:
(1) An individual having positive laboratory or clinical findings of an STD.
(2) An individual in whom epidemiologic evidence indicates an STD may exist.
(3) An individual identified as a sexual contact of an STD case.
66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 149, §  78;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 393, § 1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 703. Examination, investigation and treatment of suspected persons [Effective until July 17, 2028].

§ 703. Examination, investigation and treatment of suspected persons [Effective until July 17, 2028].
The Director or, if the Director is not a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse designated by the Director and employed by the Division, shall, when in their own judgment it is necessary to protect the public health, make examinations of persons reasonably suspected of being infected with an STD of a communicable nature; examine medical records of suspect or diagnosed cases which may be maintained by a health facility or health-care professional; require persons infected with an STD of a communicable nature to report for treatment to a health-care professional, public or private, qualified to provide treatment and continue treatment until cured, if possible, and also, when in the Director's own judgment or, if the Director is not a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse, the judgment of a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse designated by the Director and employed by the Division, it is necessary to protect the public health, may issue an order seeking to examine, isolate or quarantine persons infected with an STD of a communicable nature or persons suspected of being infected with an STD.
Code 1915, §  740A;  30 Del. Laws, c. 53, §§  1-6;  Code 1935, §  778;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  703;  66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  70 Del Laws, c. 186,, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 2;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 703. Examination, investigation and treatment of suspected persons [Effective July 17, 2028].

§ 703. Examination, investigation and treatment of suspected persons [Effective July 17, 2028].
The Director shall, when in the Director's own judgment it is necessary to protect the public health, make examinations of persons reasonably suspected of being infected with an STD of a communicable nature; examine medical records of suspect or diagnosed cases which may be maintained by a health facility or health-care professional; require persons infected with an STD of a communicable nature to report for treatment to a health-care professional, public or private, qualified to provide treatment and continue treatment until cured, if possible, and also, when in the Director's own judgment it is necessary to protect the public health, may issue an order seeking to examine, isolate or quarantine persons infected with an STD of a communicable nature or persons suspected of being infected with an STD.
Code 1915, §  740A;  30 Del. Laws, c. 53, §§  1-6;  Code 1935, §  778;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  703;  66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  70 Del Laws, c. 186,, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 2;  84 Del. Laws, c. 92, § 9;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 706. Examination and treatment of prisoners.

§ 706. Examination and treatment of prisoners.
(a) Prison authorities of any state, county or city prison shall ensure that all persons confined or imprisoned in their respective prisons are provided services for the examination, treatment and cure, if possible, of STDs as may be required according to accepted medical practice. Prison medical staff shall adhere to current STD medical protocols established by the Division of Public Health for persons confined or imprisoned; shall inform the Division of Public Health when a person or persons infected with or suspected to have an STD is released from prison without appropriate treatment, counseling or examination; and shall allow the Division of Public Health to examine medical records or other medical information to ensure that appropriate STD medical practices are followed.
(b) Prison authorities of any state, county or city prison shall make available to the Division of Public Health such portion of any state, county or city prison as may be necessary to isolate or quarantine persons known or suspected to have an STD of a communicable nature under the provisions of §§ 703, 704 and 705 of this title, provided that no other suitable place for such isolation or quarantine is available, and shall cooperate with the Division of Public Health in the provision of care and treatment to such persons.
Code 1915, §  740A;  30 Del. Laws, c. 53, §§  1-6;  33 Del. Laws, c. 57, §  4;  34 Del. Laws, c. 69, §  1;  Code 1935, §  778;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  705;  66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 707. Rules and regulations of Department.

§ 707. Rules and regulations of Department.
(a) The Department of Health and Social Services shall make such rules and regulations as may in its judgment be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including rules and regulations designating STDs to be reported, providing for the control and treatment of persons isolated or quarantined, and such other rules and regulations, not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, concerning the control of STDs, and concerning the care, treatment and quarantine of persons infected therewith, as it may from time to time deem advisable.
(b) All rules and regulations made pursuant to this chapter shall have the force and effect of law.
(c) The Department of Health and Social Services shall create the written materials required under § 703A of this title.
Code 1915, §  740A;  30 Del. Laws, c. 53, §§  1-6;  33 Del. Laws, c. 57, §  4;  34 Del. Laws, c. 69, §  1;  Code 1935, §  778;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  706;  66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 149, §  81;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 393, § 3;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 708. Prenatal standard tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and other STDs.

§ 708. Prenatal standard tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and other STDs.
(a) Every health-care professional qualified to attend a pregnant woman in this State during gestation shall take or cause to be taken suitable specimens of such woman and submit such specimens to an approved laboratory for standard tests for syphilis and gonorrhea, chlamydia and other such tests for STDs as may be designated by the Department of Health and Social Services. Every other person permitted by law to attend upon pregnant women in the State but not permitted by law to take such specimens shall cause such specimens of such pregnant woman to be taken by a qualified health-care professional and submitted to an approved laboratory for standard tests for gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia and other such tests for STDs as may be designated by the Department of Health and Social Services. The specimens shall be taken at the time of the first examination relating to the current pregnancy and a second specimen during the third trimester of pregnancy which is in addition to or exclusive of the test taken at delivery. Every pregnant woman shall permit the specimens to be taken by a qualified health care professional as herein provided. However, the Director or the Director's authorized deputy within the county wherein any person affected by this section resides may waive the requirements of this section if the Director or deputy is satisfied by written affidavit or other notarized written proof that the tests required by this section are contrary to the tenets and practices of the religious teachings of which the applicant is an adherent, and that the public health and welfare would not be injuriously affected by such waiver.
(b) The term “approved laboratory” means a laboratory approved for this purpose by the Department of Health and Social Services. Standard tests for syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea are ones recognized as such by the Department of Health and Social Services.
(c) The laboratory tests required by this section shall be made on request without charge by the Department of Health and Social Services.
42 Del. Laws, c. 87, §  2;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  707;  66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 149, §§  82, 83;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 709. Authority to perform venipuncture.

§ 709. Authority to perform venipuncture.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person employed by or detailed to the Division of Public Health as an STD case investigator may perform venipuncture or skin puncture for the purpose of withdrawing blood for test purposes, even though the STD case investigator is not otherwise licensed to withdraw blood; provided that such person meets all the following requirements:
(1) The person works under the direction of licensed physician.
(2) The person has been trained by a licensed physician in the proper procedures to be employed when withdrawing blood, in accordance with training requirements established by the Division of Public Health, and has a statement signed by the instructing physician that such training has been completed.
66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 710. Minors — Treatment, consent, and liability for payment for care.

§ 710. Minors — Treatment, consent, and liability for payment for care.
Any health facility or health-care professional may examine and provide treatment for an STD for any minor if such facility or professional is qualified to provide such examination or treatment. Consent to examination and treatment by a minor shall be controlled by §§ 707 and 708 of Title 13. The health-care professional in charge or other appropriate authority of the health facility or the health-care professional concerned shall prescribe an appropriate course of treatment for such minor. The fact of consultation, examination and treatment of such minor shall be strictly confidential and shall not be divulged by the facility or the health-care professional, including sending of a bill for such services to any persons other than the minor, except as follows:
(1) To persons providing consent pursuant to § 707 of Title 13 or persons informed of the minor's testing and treatment under § 708 of Title 13;
(2) As is necessary to comply with the requirements of Chapter 9 of this title relating to child abuse investigations; or
(3) As is necessary to comply with the requirements of this chapter concerning the control and treatment of STDs, as well as the permitted dissemination of records and information under § 711 of this title.
66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 712. Custodian of records.

§ 712. Custodian of records.
No Department of Public Health and Social Services or local health department officer or employee shall be examined in a civil, criminal, special or other proceeding as to the existence or contents of pertinent records for a person examined or treated for an STD or HIV infection by the Division of Public Health, or of the existence of contents of such reports received from a private health-care professional or private health facility, without the consent of the person examined and treated for such diseases, except where the information in such records is disclosed pursuant to § 710 or § 711(2), (3) or (5) of this title.
66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 149, §  84;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter I. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control › § 713. Penalties; jurisdiction.

§ 713. Penalties; jurisdiction.
(a) Except for § 702 of this title, whoever violates this chapter or any lawful rule or regulations made by the Department of Health and Social Services under § 707 of this title, or fails to obey any lawful order issued by the Director under this chapter shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.
(b) Whoever violates § 702 of this title shall be fined not less than $25 and not more than $200 for each offense.
(c) Each separate day that a violation of this chapter as defined under subsections (a) and (b) of this section continues shall be deemed a separate offense for penalty purposes.
(d) Justices of the peace shall have jurisdiction of offenses under this chapter.
Code 1915, §  740A;  30 Del. Laws, c. 53, §§  1-6;  33 Del. Laws, c. 57, §  4;  34 Del. Laws, c. 69, §  1;  Code 1935, §  778;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  709;  66 Del. Laws, c. 334, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 149, §  85;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter II. HIV Testing and Counseling › § 716. HIV testing of pregnant women.

§ 716. HIV testing of pregnant women.
(a) A perinatal care provider may provide routine/opt-out testing pursuant to § 715(a) of this title.
(1) In addition to the provisions of this subsection, a licensed health-care provider who renders the primary prenatal care for a pregnant woman must offer HIV testing upon intake to perinatal services, during the third trimester, and at intake into labor and delivery if the result of previous test are not available or documented in the patient's chart.
(2) In addition to the provisions this subsection, a licensed health-care provider who renders the primary prenatal care for a pregnant woman must also counsel a pregnant woman that is found to be HIV-infected, orally or in writing, about the dangers to her fetus and about the treatment options for maintaining her health and reducing chances of transmission of HIV to her fetus.
(b) A pregnant woman shall have the right to refuse consent to testing HIV infection at any instance of testing and to refuse any recommended treatment. Documentation of such refusal shall be maintained in the patient's medical record. All other provisions of this subchapter shall apply to such counseling, testing, and disclosure, which take place pursuant to this section.
70 Del. Laws, c. 520, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 458, §  1;  75 Del. Laws, c. 434, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 109, §  2;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  2;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 7. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Subchapter II. HIV Testing and Counseling › § 718. Enforcement of subchapter.

§ 718. Enforcement of subchapter.
(a) Any person aggrieved by a violation of this subchapter shall have a right of action in the Superior Court and may recover for each violation:
(1) Against any person who negligently violates a provision of this subchapter, damages of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater.
(2) Against any person who intentionally or recklessly violates a provision of this subchapter, damages of $5,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater.
(3) Reasonable attorneys' fees.
(4) Such other relief, including an injunction, as a court may deem appropriate.
(b) Any action under this subchapter is barred unless the action is commenced within 3 years after the cause of action accrues. A cause of action will accrue when the injured party becomes aware of an unauthorized disclosure pursuant to § 717 of this title, or that an HIV-related test has been conducted without informed consent pursuant to § 715 of this title.
(c) The Attorney General may maintain a civil action to enforce this subchapter in which a Court may order any relief authorized by subsection (a) of this section.
(d) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to impose civil liability or criminal sanction for disclosure of an HIV-related test result in accordance with any reporting requirement by the Division.
66 Del. Laws, c. 336, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 520, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 458, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  2;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 8. INFLAMMATION OF EYES OF NEWBORN › § 801. Definition of inflammation of eyes of newborn.

§ 801. Definition of inflammation of eyes of newborn.
Any inflammation, swelling, or redness in either 1 or both eyes of any infant, either apart from or together with any unnatural discharge from the eye or eyes of such infant, independent of the nature of the infection, if any, occurring any time within 2 weeks after the birth of such infant, shall be known as inflammation of the eyes of the newborn.
29 Del. Laws, c. 51, §  1;  Code 1935, §  779;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  901;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 8. INFLAMMATION OF EYES OF NEWBORN › § 802. Reporting existence of disease; investigation.

§ 802. Reporting existence of disease; investigation.
Any physician, surgeon, obstetrician, midwife, nurse, maternity home or hospital of any nature, parent, relative and any persons attendant on or assisting in any way whatsoever, any infant or the mother of an infant at childbirth, or any time within 2 weeks after childbirth, knowing the condition defined in § 801 of this title to exist, within 6 hours thereafter shall report such fact to the local health officer of the city, town, village or whatever other political division there may be, within which the infant or the mother of any such infant may reside. The local health officer shall investigate or have investigated, each case as filed with the officer in pursuance with the law and any other such case as may come to the local health officer's attention.
29 Del. Laws, c. 51, §  2;  Code 1935, §  779;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  902;  70 Del Laws, c. 186,, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 8. INFLAMMATION OF EYES OF NEWBORN › § 803. Treatment of eyes on birth.

§ 803. Treatment of eyes on birth.
(a) The Department of Health and Social Services shall regulate the type of prophylactic treatment to be employed against inflammation of the eye or eyes of the newborn, the conditions under which such prophylaxis will be employed and the diseases for which reporting is required. Such regulation shall conform with standards promulgated by the United States Center for Disease Control, United States Public Health Service. A record of the prophylactic used and details thereof shall be recorded on the birth certificate.
(b) Nothing in this section shall require medical treatment for the minor child of any person who is a member of a recognized church or religious denomination and whose religious convictions, in accordance with the tenets and practices of the person's church or religious denomination, are against medical treatment for disease.
29 Del. Laws, c. 51, §  3;  32 Del. Laws, c. 42;  40 Del. Laws, c. 97, §  1;  Code 1935, §  779;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  903;  64 Del. Laws, c. 119, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 149, §  86;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 8. INFLAMMATION OF EYES OF NEWBORN › § 804. Penalties.

§ 804. Penalties.
Whoever being a physician, surgeon, midwife, obstetrician, nurse, parent, relative or person attendant upon or assisting at the birth of any infant, violates this chapter, shall be fined not less than $5.00 nor more than $100.
29 Del. Laws, c. 51, §  4;  Code 1935, §  779;  16 Del. C. 1953, §  904;
2023 Delaware Code › Title 16 - Health and Safety › Chapter 8A. UNIVERSAL NEWBORN AND INFANT HEARING SCREENING, TRACKING, AND INTERVENTION › § 801A. Short title.

§ 801A. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Universal Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening, Tracking, and Intervention Act.”
75 Del. Laws, c. 116, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 389, §  1;