reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 83 - County or Municipal Tuberculosis Institutions; Conveyance to Commonwealth

Section 83. Where a county or municipal institution is operating for the care and treatment of tuberculosis patients and the county commissioners or officers in charge of the municipal institution determine that it is no longer feasible to continue the institution as a county or municipal responsibility or to liquidate it, the commissioners or other authorized officers may with the approval of the commissioner of public health convey to the commonwealth the institution and so much of the estate on which it is situated as is used for the purposes of the institution and also the personal property owned by the county or municipality and held or used for the purposes of the institution. The commissioner of public health is hereby authorized to accept, subject to appropriation, such conveyance in the name and behalf of the commonwealth if at the time such offer of conveyance is made he determines that it is in the best interests of the commonwealth to accept such conveyance.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 83a - Indemnity Insurance for Officers and Employees of Hospital

Section 83A. The county commissioners of any county, acting as trustees of a hospital established therein under section eighty-two may effect insurance providing indemnity for or protection to the officers and employees of such hospital against loss by reason of their liability to pay damages to others for bodily injuries, including death at any time resulting therefrom, or for damage to property, caused by the operation, within the scope of their official duties or employment, of motor or other vehicles owned by the institution to an amount not exceeding forty thousand dollars on account of the injury to or death of one person, or not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars for any one accident, and not exceeding one thousand dollars on account of damage to property. The expense of such insurance shall be included as a part of the cost of maintenance of such hospital.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 83b - Authority to Raise and Expend Money for Tuberculosis Hospital; Borrowing; Notes; Apportionment of Costs

Section 83B. County commissioners in carrying out their responsibilities as trustees of county institutions under section eighty-two shall raise and expend such sums of money for acquiring land and constructing and equipping buildings including out-patient and diagnostic facilities and for the alteration and enlargement of existing buildings, for care, maintenance, and repair of all facilities, and for all other purposes as authorized by the general court, except for such temporary financing as provided in section eighty-five A. They may borrow, on the credit of the county, when so authorized by the general court, the said sums, and issue notes of the county therefor, with such interest as may be fixed under section thirty-nine of chapter thirty-five, payable semi-annually, or without interest, in which case they may sell such notes at such discount as they deem proper. The notes shall be signed by the county treasurer and countersigned by the county commissioners. The county may sell the said securities, at public or private sale, on terms and conditions deemed proper, but the proceeds shall be used only for the purposes for which such securities are issued. Said notes may be renewed from time to time without specific authorization from the general court until all the cities and towns liable have paid to the county treasurer the amounts assessed against them. Any amount of interest paid or due on said notes and renewals thereof may be similarly borrowed. All reimbursement from cities and towns on such assessments shall be applied to the payment of temporary debt incurred under this section. Such assessments shall be made against the cities and towns in the county in accordance with their valuation used in assessing county taxes and shall be paid in such manner and such installments as the commissioner shall by special order direct. If any city or town shall neglect or refuse to pay its proportion as required by said order, the county commissioners shall, after notice to the city or town and unless sufficient cause is shown to the contrary, issue a warrant against it for the sum which it was ordered to pay, with interest, and the costs of the notice and warrant; and the same shall be collected and paid into the county treasury, to be applied in payment of the expenses aforesaid.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 85 - Maintenance of County Tuberculosis Hospitals; Apportionment of Costs and Expenses

Section 85. The county commissioners shall provide for the maintenance, operation and repair of the institutions under section eighty-two provided that the expenditure of money for the purposes of this section shall be limited to such amounts as may be authorized by the various advisory boards on county expenditures. The commissioners shall, immediately after July tenth of each year, apportion the balance of the cost of maintenance, operation and repair of such hospitals, including the interest paid or due on temporary notes issued therefor, for the previous fiscal year, as defined by section sixteen of chapter thirty-five, to the cities and towns in the county in accordance with their evaluation as used in assessing the county taxes, and shall issue their warrants against such cities and towns for the amount for which they are assessed. Any balance of such cost not so assessed for such year by reason of an underestimate by the commissioners shall be assessed for the next subsequent fiscal year and any excess assessed in accordance with the foregoing provision by reason of an over-estimate by them shall be deducted in determining the amount to be assessed for the next subsequent fiscal year. The county may, thirty days after a written demand for payment, recover in contract against any city or town the amount for which it is liable under this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 85a - Maintenance, Operation and Repair of Hospitals; Apportionment; Expenditures

Section 85A. To provide such funds as may be necessary to meet the cost of the care, maintenance and repair of a county institution in compliance with section eighty-five, the county commissioners may in any year borrow money on the credit of the county by temporary loans without specific authorization by the general court, and for such purposes the county treasurer may, with the approval of the county commissioners, issue notes of the county therefor, maturing in not more than twelve months from their dates, and may from time to time renew the same, until all the cities and towns liable to assessment under said section eighty-five have paid to the county treasurer the sums so assessed against them for the aforesaid cost for said year. Receipts of such institutions shall be paid to the county treasurer at such times as the county commissioners may determine. Receipts for said year and payments to the county of the assessments made under section eighty-five to meet the aforesaid cost for said year shall be applied to the payment of the cost of maintenance or to the payment of such temporary loans.
Notwithstanding the limitations imposed by section thirty-seven A of chapter thirty-five, expenditures for the cost in any year of the care, maintenance and repair of county institutions under section eighty-five may be made from any cash balance remaining in the treasury of any such institution at the end of the preceding fiscal year resulting from loans issued under the authority of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 87 - County Commissioners as Trustees of Institutions

Section 87. The county commissioners shall be trustees of the institutions operated under section eighty-two except in Norfolk county where there shall be seven trustees consisting of: the three Norfolk county commissioners, the chairperson of the Norfolk county advisory board or his designee, a medical doctor residing in Norfolk county who shall be appointed by the Norfolk county advisory board to serve for a term of six years, a member of the business community residing in Norfolk county who shall be appointed by the Norfolk county advisory board to serve for a term of six years and a health care consumer residing in Norfolk county who shall be appointed by the Norfolk county advisory board to serve for a term of six years; provided, however, that one of the appointees of the Norfolk county advisory board shall reside in the town of Braintree. Such trustees shall make suitable regulations for the operation of such institutions and shall appoint superintendents and other officers and employees necessary for the proper operation of the institution. Appointment of superintendents and other physicians to the staff of said institution shall be subject to the approval of the department.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 88 - Conversion of Hospitals Into Chronic Disease Hospitals or Homes for the Aged

Section 88. Where, at the time this section goes into effect, a city or town is maintaining a tuberculosis hospital and such hospital is not utilized by the commonwealth for the care and treatment of tuberculosis patients under contractual arrangements under section seventy-seven, and where such hospital is deemed by the board or officer in charge as no longer necessary for the care of tuberculous patients, the hospital may after being licensed under section seventy-one be converted into a chronic disease hospital or home for the care and treatment of aging persons, or the institution may be liquidated in accordance with law. The board or officer in charge of such institution may adopt such rules and regulations concerning the operation of the institution as a chronic disease hospital or home for the aging and concerning admission of patients thereto as deemed necessary; provided, however, that the rate or rates in such a chronic disease hospital or home for the aging for all general health supplies, care, services and accommodations shall be established by the executive office of health and human services or a governmental unit designated by the executive office.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 91c - Diseases of Chest; Use of Facilities for Treatment; Rules and Regulations

Section 91C. Whenever, in the opinion of the board or officer in charge of a tuberculosis hospital maintained by a city or town, the entire facilities of such hospital are no longer needed for the treatment and care of persons in said city or town suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, such board or officer may, so long as the department approves, establish and maintain at such hospital a division for the care and treatment of persons suffering from other diseases of the chest; provided, that sufficient beds are at all times available for persons with tuberculosis; and provided, further, that such division is licensed in accordance with sections seventy to seventy-three, inclusive. Subject to the approval of the department, the board or officer in charge of such hospital may, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this chapter, promulgate rules and regulations for such division, including the charges for care and treatment therein.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 92 - Construction and Maintenance of Isolation Hospitals; Approval

Section 92. Each city shall, and each town may, and upon request of the department shall, establish and maintain constantly within its limits one or more hospitals for the reception of persons having smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, or other diseases dangerous to the public health except tuberculosis as defined by the department unless there already exists therein a hospital satisfactory to the department for the reception of persons ill with such diseases, or unless some arrangement satisfactory to the department is made for the care of such persons. All such hospitals established and maintained by cities and towns shall be subject to the orders and regulations of the boards of health thereof. Plans for construction of such hospitals shall be approved by the department before they are constructed, and the district health officers shall annually make such examination of said hospitals, and of all other hospitals, sanatoria, asylums, homes, prisons and dispensaries, both public and private, caring for diseases dangerous to the public health, as in the opinion of the department may be necessary, and report as to their condition and needs to those responsible for their management. A city or town which, upon the request of the department, refuses or neglects to establish and maintain such a hospital shall forfeit not more than five hundred dollars; provided, that if, in the opinion of the boards of health of two or more adjoining municipalities, such hospitals can advantageously be established and maintained in common, the authorities of the said cities or towns may, subject to the approval of the department, enter into any agreements deemed necessary to establish and maintain the same.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 94 - Receiving Persons From Adjoining Towns

Section 94. The board of health of any town which has established or which may hereafter establish within its limits a hospital for the reception of persons having smallpox or any other disease dangerous to the public health may receive for care and treatment in such hospital persons from an adjoining town who are infected with any of said diseases.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 94a - Certification of Non-Hospitalized Persons Afflicted With Active Tuberculosis; Examination; Transportation; Release

Section 94A. (a) The board of health of any city or town, or any member thereof, or two physicians licensed to practice medicine in the commonwealth, may certify to the commissioner any non-hospitalized person who (1) is afflicted with active tuberculosis, (2) is unwilling or unable to accept proper medical treatment, and (3) is thereby a serious danger to the public health.
(b) On receipt of such certification the commissioner or his agent shall conduct or have conducted an examination of such person, and, if he concurs in the certification shall file a petition in the district court under section ninety-four C for the hospitalization of such person. If, however, such person refuses to submit to examination, the commissioner may order him to be hospitalized immediately at the tuberculosis treatment center, established under section ninety-four D for a fifteen-day observational period.
(c) If the commissioner or his agent concurs in the certification of the board of health, and finds that such person is in need of immediate hospitalization for the protection of the public health, he may order him to be hospitalized immediately at the tuberculosis treatment center for a fifteen-day emergency observational period.
(d) The commissioner or his agent may call on the police department of the city or town whose board of health certified such person, or the police department of the place where such person is present, to provide the transportation to the tuberculosis treatment center.
(e) If the patient is sent to the tuberculosis treatment center under this section, the superintendent thereof shall, at the expiration of fifteen days, either release the patient or file a petition with the district court under section ninety-four C. The patient may be detained at the center pending disposition of the petition.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 94b - Detention of Patient at Sanatorium; Petition; Transfer to Tuberculosis Treatment Center; Release

Section 94B. If any active tuberculosis patient in a municipal, county, state or private sanatorium or hospital indicates his desire to leave the institution against the medical advice of the superintendent or manager of the institution in accord with the accepted medical policy of the institution, and the superintendent or manager determines that to allow his release would be a serious danger to the public health, he may detain the patient, or, if he fears the patient may try to leave the hospital, he may request the local police department to transport the patient immediately to the tuberculosis treatment center established under section ninety-four D.
If the superintendent or manager detains the patient at his own institution, he shall immediately file a petition in the district court under section ninety-four C for the prolonged hospitalization of the patient. The patient may be detained at the institution pending disposition of the petition.
If the patient is transported to the tuberculosis treatment center he shall be detained there no longer than fifteen days, and upon the expiration of that time he shall be released, unless a petition for the prolonged hospitalization of such patient is filed by the superintendent thereof in the district court under section ninety-four C.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 94c - Court Commitment to Tuberculosis Treatment Center; Procedure; Notice; Hearing

Section 94C. Any justice or associate justice of the district court may commit to the tuberculosis treatment center established under section ninety-four D, for prolonged hospitalization, any person afflicted with active tuberculosis and residing in or present in the jurisdiction of the court, concerning whom a petition has been filed in accordance with sections ninety-four A and ninety-four B.
The procedure for commitment shall be as follows:—
(1) If the petition is filed by the commissioner of public health or his agent under section ninety-four A in a nonemergency situation, the court shall appoint two physicians experienced in the diagnosis, care and treatment of tuberculosis to examine the person and report to the court on his condition and on his willingness and ability to accept proper medical treatment, and to give their opinion on whether or not it would be a serious danger to the public health to allow the person to be unhospitalized. Neither of these physicians shall be on the full-time staff of a state, county or municipal tuberculosis hospital.
The court shall give the person notice of his right to a hearing on the matter of his commitment. If the person does not request a hearing, the judge may order his commitment on the basis of the physicians' reports. If a hearing is requested, the court shall allow the person a reasonable time to prepare his case. The court need not see the person or hear him in open court if it is deemed inadvisable by the physicians because of his contagious condition. If, however, it is determined that the person cannot be present because of his condition, he must be given notice of this fact and of his right to have counsel and witnesses present at the hearing. In the latter case, the court shall appoint legal counsel to represent the person's interests at the hearing if he does not have his own legal counsel.
If the judge finds the person is afflicted with tuberculosis and is unwilling or unable to accept proper medical treatment, and is thereby a serious danger to the public health, the judge shall commit the person to the care and custody of the commissioner, to be cared for and treated at the tuberculosis treatment center.
(2) If the petition is filed by the superintendent of the tuberculosis treatment center under section ninety-four A or ninety-four B, or under section ninety-four B by the superintendent or manager of another sanatorium or hospital, the judge shall give notice to the patient of his right to a hearing on the matter of his commitment. If a hearing is requested it shall be granted and the commitment procedure and medical examination shall be conducted in compliance with paragraph (1). If no hearing is requested the judge may, on the basis of the petition of the superintendent and on such other evidence as he may require, order the person committed.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 94d - Tuberculosis Treatment Center; Establishment; Supervision

Section 94D. The department shall establish a tuberculosis treatment center in one of the state hospitals, or may contract with a county, municipal or general hospital for the custody, care, treatment and rehabilitation of patients hospitalized under sections ninety-four A to ninety-four C, inclusive. Such center or hospital shall be equipped with adequate safeguards to prevent the escape of such patients. Such center or hospital shall be under the supervision of its superintendent, subject to the provisions of this chapter, or of any rules or regulations made by the commissioner.
The commissioner may construct facilities similar to said treatment center at any state hospital, and all such facilities, including facilities provided by contract for the same purpose, shall constitute the treatment center, as used in sections ninety-four A to ninety-four C, inclusive. On any hospitalization under said sections, the commissioner may assign the patients to whichever facility he deems best suited to care for them. The commissioner may transfer such patients from one such facility to another if he deems it advisable.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 94e - Financial Responsibility for Treatment of Patients; Residence

Section 94E. The full financial responsibility for the care and treatment of patients hospitalized at the tuberculosis treatment center shall be on the commonwealth. The placing of such financial responsibility on the commonwealth for the patients shall in no way affect the residence or other matters concerning the family or dependents of the patients.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 94f - Discharge From Treatment Center; Declassification; Transfer

Section 94F. Any person hospitalized at the treatment center may be discharged therefrom by the superintendent at any time he determines that it is in the best interest of the patient and of the public health so to do.
The superintendent may also declassify the patient as under the care and custody of this center and transfer him to an open ward at the same hospital, or transfer him to another sanatorium or hospital, state, county, municipal or private, if he deems it in the best interest of the patient and the public health. The admission of the patient to such other institutions shall be in accordance with the requirements of law for admission to such institutions.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 94g - Petition for Release; Order of Release

Section 94G. Any person hospitalized at the treatment center may petition the district court which committed him to release him therefrom. Such petition shall not be made until six months after the original court commitment. If such petition is denied, another such petition shall not be filed until six months after the date of denial of a previous petition.
The court may order the person released from the treatment center if it finds such person is no longer affected with active tuberculosis, or is willing and able to accept proper medical treatment, and is thereby no longer a danger to the public health.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 94h - Regulations Concerning Content of Certification; Minimum Standards

Section 94H. The commissioner and the public health council may make regulations concerning the content of the certification made by boards of health and physicians under section ninety-four A, including the definition of, and the methods for determining active tuberculosis. The commissioner and public health council may make regulations concerning the minimum standards for proper medical treatment for active tuberculosis patients cared for outside a hospital, so that such patients will not be a menace to the public health.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 95 - Powers and Duties of Boards in Cases of Infectious Diseases

Section 95. If a disease dangerous to the public health breaks out in a town, or if a person is infected or lately has been infected therewith, the board of health shall immediately provide such hospital or place of reception and such nurses and other assistance and necessaries as is judged best for his accommodation and for the safety of the inhabitants, and the same shall be subject to the regulations of the board. The board may cause any sick or infected person to be removed to such hospital or place, if it can be done without danger to his health; otherwise the house or place in which he remains shall be considered as a hospital, and all persons residing in or in any way connected therewith shall be subject to the regulations of the board, and, if necessary, persons in the neighborhood may be removed. When the board of health of a town shall deem it necessary, in the interest of the public health, to require a resident wage earner to remain within such house or place or otherwise to interfere with the following of his employment, he shall receive from such town during the period of his restraint compensation to the extent of three fourths of his regular wages; provided, that the amount so received shall not exceed two dollars for each working day.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 96 - Warrants to Remove Persons Infected With Dangerous Disease

Section 96. A magistrate authorized to issue warrants may issue a warrant directed to the sheriff of the county or his deputy, or to any constable or police officer, requiring him, under the direction of the board of health, to remove any person infected with a disease dangerous to the public health or who is a carrier of the causative agent thereof, or to take control of convenient houses and lodgings, and to impress into service and use such convenient houses, lodgings, nurses, attendants and other necessaries. The removal authorized by this section may be made to a hospital in any town established for the reception of persons having diseases dangerous to the public health; provided, that the assent of the board of health of the town to which such removal is to be made shall first have been obtained.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 96a - Transportation of Person Infected With Dangerous Disease to Another Town

Section 96A. No town shall transport or permit to be transported to another town any person infected with a disease dangerous to the public health, without first obtaining the assent of the board of health of the town to which the patient is to be transported; but this requirement shall not apply to transportation to a hospital except under section ninety-six.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 97 - Removal of Patient From Home Where Patient Cannot Be Isolated

Section 97. Sections ninety-five and ninety-six, so far as they confer authority for the removal of patients from their homes, shall apply only to persons residing in boarding houses or hotels, or to two or more families occupying the same dwelling, or in other cases where, in the opinion of the board, the patient cannot properly be isolated.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 99 - Warrant to Secure Infected Articles; Application

Section 99. If upon application of the board it appears to a magistrate authorized to issue warrants that there is just cause to suspect that baggage, clothing or goods found within the town are infected with any disease dangerous to the public health, he shall, by warrant directed to the sheriff or his deputy or to any constable, require him to impress as many men as said magistrate may judge necessary to secure such baggage, clothing or goods, and to post said men as a guard over the house or place containing such articles to prevent persons from removing or coming near the same until due inquiry is made into the circumstances.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 100 - Warrant to Take Houses for Safe Keeping of Infected Articles

Section 100. The magistrate may, by the same warrant, require the officers, under the direction of the board, to impress and take up convenient houses or stores for the safe keeping of such articles; and the board may remove them thereto or otherwise detain them until, in its opinion, they are freed from infection.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 101 - Execution of Warrant; Breaking Open Houses

Section 101. The officers, in executing the warrant, may command aid and may break open any house, shop or other place mentioned in the warrant. Whoever, being commanded by said officers to assist in the execution of the warrant, neglects or refuses so to do shall forfeit not more than ten dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 102 - Payment of Expenses in Purifying Infected Articles

Section 102. The expense of securing, transporting and purifying such articles as fixed by the board shall be paid by the owners or by the town, as the board may determine. For any article of furniture or wearing apparel ordered destroyed by the board the town may recompense the owner to an amount not exceeding fifty dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 103 - Compensation for Houses and Stores Impressed

Section 103. If a sheriff or other officer impresses or takes up any houses, stores, lodging or other necessaries, or impresses men, the town where such persons or property are so impressed shall pay a just compensation to the persons entitled thereto. Compensation for taking or impressing property may be recovered under chapter seventy-nine.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 104 - Prevention of Spread of Infection; Public Notice; Removal

Section 104. If a disease dangerous to the public health exists in a town, the selectmen and board of health shall use all possible care to prevent the spread of the infection and may give public notice of infected places by such means as in their judgment may be most effectual for the common safety. Whoever obstructs the selectmen, board of health or its agent in using such means, or whoever wilfully and without authority removes, obliterates, defaces or handles such public notices which have been posted, shall forfeit not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 105 - Violation of Regulations

Section 105. If a physician or other person who is in any of the hospitals or places of reception mentioned in section ninety-five, or who attends, approaches or is concerned with them, violates a regulation of the board of health relative thereto, he shall forfeit not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 106 - Travelers From Infected Places Outside Commonwealth; License

Section 106. The board of health of a town near to or bordering upon an adjoining state may in writing appoint suitable persons, who shall attend at places by which travelers may pass from infected places without the commonwealth, and who may examine such travelers as the board suspects of bringing any infection dangerous to the public health, and, if necessary, restrain them from traveling until licensed thereto by the board of health of the town to which they may come. A traveler coming from an infected place who, without such license, travels within the commonwealth, unless to return by the most direct way to the state whence he came, after he has been cautioned to depart by the persons so appointed, shall forfeit not more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 107 - Transportation of Infected Dead Bodies; Rules and Regulations

Section 107. No person shall convey or cause to be conveyed through or from any town in the commonwealth the body of any person who has died from any disease dangerous to the public health, except in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be made from time to time by the department. No town clerk, or clerk or agent of the board of health, shall give a permit for the removal of such a body until he has received from the board of health of the town where the death occurred a certificate stating the cause of death, and that said body has been prepared so as to preclude danger of contagion or infection by its transportation. The certificate shall be delivered to the agent or person receiving the body. The department shall formulate such rules and regulations pertaining to funerals of all persons dying from any disease dangerous to the public health as it deems necessary to prevent the spread of infection. Whoever violates any provision of this section or any rule or regulation made hereunder shall forfeit not more than twenty-five dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 108 - Removal of Sick Prisoners

Section 108. If a prisoner in a jail or house of correction has a disease which, in the opinion of the physician of the board of health or of such other physician as it may consult, is dangerous to the safety and health of other prisoners or of the inhabitants of the town, the board shall, in writing, direct his removal to a hospital or other place of safety, there to be provided for and securely kept until its further order. If he recovers from the disease, he shall be returned to his former place of confinement. If the person so removed has been committed by order of court or under judicial process, the order for his removal, or a copy thereof attested by the presiding member of the board, shall be returned by him, with the doings thereon, into the office of the clerk of the court from which the process of commitment was issued. No prisoner so removed shall thereby commit an escape.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 109 - Notice of Householder That Person in Family or House Is Infected With Dangerous Disease

Section 109. A householder who knows or has cause to believe that a person in his family or house is infected with a disease dangerous to the public health shall forthwith give notice thereof to the board of health of the town where such householder dwells, unless a physician is in attendance. Upon the death, recovery or removal of such person, the householder shall disinfect to the satisfaction of the board such rooms of his house and articles therein as, in the opinion of the board, have been exposed to infection or contagion, but the board may in its discretion, disinfect all such premises as, in its opinion, have been exposed to any disease dangerous to the public health, at the expense of the town, and may employ any proper and competent person to so disinfect. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 109a - Treatment of Infants' Eyes at Time of Birth

Section 109A. The physician, or hospital medical officer registered under section nine of chapter one hundred and twelve, if any, personally attending the birth of a child shall treat his eyes within two hours after birth with a prophylactic remedy furnished or approved by the department. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 110 - Report of Diseases of the Eyes of Infants

Section 110. If either eye of an infant becomes inflamed, swollen and red, or shows an unnatural discharge within two weeks after birth, the nurse, relative or other attendant having charge of such infant shall report in writing, within six hours thereafter, to the board of health of the town where the infant is, the fact that such inflammation, swelling and redness of the eyes or unnatural discharge exist. On receipt of such report, or of notice of the same symptoms given by a physician, or a hospital medical officer registered under section nine of chapter one hundred and twelve, as provided by the following section, the board of health shall take such immediate action as it may deem necessary, including, so far as may be possible, consultation with an oculist and the employment of a trained nurse, in order that blindness may be prevented. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 110a - Tests of Newborn Children for Treatable Disorders or Diseases

Section 110A. The physician attending a newborn child shall cause said child to be subjected to tests for phenylketonuria, cretinism and such other specifically treatable genetic or biochemical disorders or treatable infectious diseases which may be determined by testing as specified by the commissioner. The commissioner may convene an advisory committee on newborn screening to assist him in determining which tests are necessary.
The department shall make such rules pertaining to such tests as accepted medical practice shall indicate.
The provisions of this section shall not apply if the parents of such child object thereto on the grounds that such test conflicts with their religious tenets and practices.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 110b - Reyes Syndrome Treatment or Examination; Reports

Section 110B. A physician, intern, physician assistant, a public health nurse, or another person who professionally examines or treats a child with reyes syndrome shall report such examination or treatment to the department of public health in accordance with the rules and regulations of the department. Such report shall be made on forms prescribed by the commissioner and shall be submitted as soon as possible after such examination or treatment.
The department shall, subject to appropriation, maintain comprehensive records of all reports submitted pursuant to this section. Such reports shall be confidential and shall be released by the department only upon written request of the subject of such report, or his guardian, executor, attorney, or other person designated by said subject in writing. Such reports and records or information contained therein, may also be released by the department to persons authorized by the commissioner to conduct research studies or to other persons, but no report or record shall be released which allows identification of the subjects of said reports or records. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 110c - Congenital Heart Defects Screenings for Newborns Through Pulse Oximetry Testing or Other Testing; Regulations; Development of Protocols

Section 110C. For the purposes of this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:—
''Birthing facility'', an inpatient or ambulatory health care facility licensed by the department of public health that provides birthing and newborn care services.
''Congenital heart defects screening'', the identification of a newborn that may have a congenital heart defect through the use of a physiologic test.
''Pulse oximetry testing'', a non-invasive test that estimates the percentage of hemoglobin in blood that is saturated with oxygen.
The department, in consultation with the perinatal advisory committee, shall develop regulations for a hospital that provides birthing and newborn services or a birthing facility that performs congenital heart defects screenings on all newborns through pulse oximetry testing. The department may approve another test to conduct congenital heart defects screenings; provided, however, that the test shall be, at the discretion of the department, at least as accurate, widely available and cost effective as pulse oximetry testing.
These regulations shall consider evidence-based guidance, including, but not limited to, recommended guidance issued by the federal Health and Human Services Discretionary Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. A screening shall be performed before the newborn infant is discharged from the birthing facility or hospital to the care of the parent or guardian, or as the department may provide by regulation; provided, however, that the screening shall not be performed if the parent or guardian of the newborn infant object to the screening based upon the sincerely held religious beliefs of the parent or guardian.
A hospital that provides birthing and newborn services or a birthing facility shall adopt protocols for screening for congenital heart defects with pulse oximetry or another test approved by the department under this section for all newborns prior to discharge, based on the department's regulations, on or before January 1, 2015.
The department shall review the protocols required under this section and the implementation of these protocols as part of its hospital licensure and birthing facility licensure review processes.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 111 - Notice to Board of Health That Persons Infected With Dangerous Diseases; Application of Section

Section 111. If a physician knows or has cause to believe that a person whom he visits is infected with a disease dangerous to the public health, or if either eye of an infant whom or whose mother a physician, or a hospital medical officer registered under section nine of chapter one hundred and twelve, visits, becomes inflamed, swollen and red, or shows an unnatural discharge within two weeks after birth, he shall immediately give written notice thereof, signed by him, to the board of health of the town where the patient is being attended by him. If the board of health which receives such written notice is the board of health of a town other than that wherein the patient dwells, it shall, immediately upon receipt of such notice, send a copy thereof to the board of health of the town wherein the patient dwells; and, in addition thereto, the board of health which receives such written notice, whether or not it is the board of health of the town wherein the patient dwells, shall send a copy thereof to the board of health of the town in which the patient is known to have contracted such disease and to the board of health of each town in which he is known to have exposed any person to such disease. If a physician or such a hospital medical officer refuses or neglects to give the notice required by this section he shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars.
The foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to tuberculosis, nor shall the foregoing provisions of this section and the provisions of section one hundred and nine apply to venereal diseases as defined under section six, except in the case of eye infections in infants under two weeks of age. Any person having tuberculosis or a venereal disease shall be reported to local boards of health either directly or through the department in accordance with such special rules and regulations as the department may make, having due regard for the best interests of the public.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVI - Public Health › Chapter 111 - Public Health › Section 111a - Cerebral Palsy; Reports

Section 111A. If a physician or hospital medical officer registered under section nine of chapter one hundred and twelve knows or has cause to believe that a person whom he is attending is afflicted with cerebral palsy, he shall give written notice thereof to the board of health of the city or town where the patient is being attended. Said board of health shall annually make such report to the department of the notices required under this section as the department by rule or regulation may prescribe. Such notices and such reports shall be solely for use of the boards of health and the department and shall not be open to public inspection or constitute a public record.