American Samoa
Office of the Governor, American Samoa, Proclamation: Public Health Emergency, (May 1, 2009).
Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono has declared a public health emergency in American Samoa in response to concerns that cases of H1N1 have been confirmed in countries with direct travel routes to the region.
(posted 5/07/09)

California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, State of Emergency – Swine Flu, (April 28, 2009).
Pursuant to his powers under the California Constitution and California Emergency Services Act (Cal. Government Code §§ 8448(b), 8625), the Governor has issued a proclamation in response to identified H1N1 Influenza cases in California.
(posted 4/29/09)

Florida
Department of Health, Declaration of Public Health Emergency Supplemental Order #01, (May 5, 2009).
The Florida Surgeon General has suspended Chapters 120 and 287, Florida Statutes, to the extent needed to procure any and all supplies of the antivirals Tamiflu and Relenza needed to cope with this emergency.
(posted 5/05/09)

Department of Health, Declaration of Public Health Emergency Supplemental Order #02, (May 5, 2009).
The Florida Surgeon General has suspended wholesale distribution permit requirements under Chapter 499 Part 1, Florida Statutes, to allow the wholesale distribution of Tamiflu and Relenza.
(posted 5/05/09)

Department of Health, Declaration of Public Health Emergency, (May 1, 2009).
The State Surgeon General has declared a public health emergency in response to confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in two counties.
(posted 5/4/09)

Maine
Governor John E. Baldacci, Proclamation of a Civil Emergency Due to a Highly Infectious Agent, (April 29, 2009). Renewed, (September 30, 2009).
Pursuant to his authority under 37-B M.R.S.A. §§ 741, 742, 824, the Governor has issued a proclamation of civil emergency in response to identified cases of H1N1 influenza in Maine.
(posted 5/1/09)

Maryland
Governor Martin O’Malley, Declaration of Emergency: Influenza Response and Mitigation, Exec. Order No. 01.01.2009.05, (May 1, 2009).
The Governor has declared an emergency as a result of the possibility of a pandemic in the state and surrounding jurisdictions, pursuant to his authority under MD. Code Ann. Pub. Safety § 14-3A-02.

Governor Martin O’Malley, Declaration of Emergency – Emergency Medical Services Staffing, (November 6, 2009).
The Governor has declared a state of emergency and has authorized Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedics and Cardiac Rescue Technicians to administer 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine.r> (posted 11/20/09)

Nebraska
Governor Dave Heineman, Proclamation, (April 30, 2009).
The Governor of Nebraska declared a state of emergency after one confirmed case in the state.
(posted 5/4/09)

New York
Governor David A. Paterson, Governor Paterson Activates Health Emergency Preparedness Plan; Puts State on ‘High Alert’ for Swine Flu, (April 26, 2009).
After eight confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza in New York City, Governor Paterson activated the state’s emergency preparedness plan.
(posted 4/29/09)

New York Governor David A. Paterson, Governor Paterson Issues Executive Order To Assist Local Governments With Statewide H1N1 Vaccination Campaign, (October 29, 2009).
The Governor has declared an emergency in response to requests for assistance from local governments.
(posted 10/30/09)

Ohio
Governor Ted Strickland, Proclamation of Emergency: Authorizing State Agencies and Personnel to Assist with the Receipt, Transportation and Storage of Medicine and Supplies Associated with the Swine Flu Virus, (Issued on April 28, 2009 - Terminated in June 2009).
Following the identification of a patient with H1N1 influenza in Ohio, Gov. Strickland declared a state of emergency and authorized the Ohio National Guard to assist with SNS supplies.
(posted 5/05/09)

Texas
Governor Rick Perry, Governor Perry Issues Disaster Proclamation for Swine Influenza, (April 29, 2009).
In response to confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza in certain Texas jurisdictions, the Governor has announced that a public health emergency exists and has declared a state of disaster.
(posted 04/29/09)

Virginia
Governor Timothy Kaine, Governor Kaine Announces Precautions to Prepare Virginia to Respond to H1N1 Virus Outbreak, (April 27, 2009).
Prior to the confirmation of H1N1 cases in the state, Virginia Health Commissioner Karen Remley declared a public health emergency.
(posted May 4, 2009)

Wisconsin
Governor Jim Doyle, Executive Order #280, Relating to a Proclamation Declaring a Public Health Emergency, (April 30, 2009).
Pursuant to his authority under Wis. Stat. §§ 166.03(1)(b) and 321.39(1)(a), the Governor has issued a proclamation of civil emergency in response in Wisconsin.
(posted 5/01/09)

Florida
The Florida Department of Health has released the following draft orders suitable for use during the current outbreak:
Voluntary Home Quarantine Agreement
Quarantine to Residence Order
Quarantine to Residence Order (Non-Compliance)
Quarantine to Facility Order
Quarantine Detention Order
Quarantine of Facility Order
Building Quarantine Closure Order
Area Quarantine Closure Order

Massachusetts
Procedures for Isolation and Quarantine,105 Mass. Code Regs. 300.210 (2008).

North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released the following draft isolation order:
Isolation Order: Swine Influenza A(H1N1) Infection

Washington
Procedures for Isolation and Quarantine, Wash. Admin. Code § 246-100-040.

Washington Department of Health (DOH), templates for isolation and quarantine orders.

To assist in mass administration of H1N1 vaccine, states are evaluating their laws to determine individuals who are authorized to administer H1N1 vaccines. If necessary, states are amending legal provisions to extend legal authority to administer HlNl vaccine to persons who would not otherwise be permitted to administer vaccine. Three states provide examples:

Massachusetts emergency regulation passed recently by the Public Health Council (to be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State) authorizing the Commissioner of Public Health to issue an order designating the persons who may administer H1N1 vaccine and the conditions under which the vaccine may be administered. To access the regulation, 105 CMR 700.003(H), please click here.

Michigan statute authorizing physicians to delegate administration of vaccine to appropriately trained individuals. To access the statute, MCL 333.16215, please click here.

Recently-amended Minnesota statute extending the authority of the Commissioner of Health to respond to requests of local officials by expanding the categories of persons authorized to administer vaccine. To access Minnesota Statutes section 144.4197 (2008) as amended by Minnesota Laws 2009, chapter 41, section 5, please click here.

Texas
Department of State Health Services, All Schools in Schertz District to Close, (April 26, 2009).
The Department announced that all 14 schools and two district facilities in this school district were to be closed immediately after the discovery of suspected H1N1 Influenza in that jurisdiction.
(posted 4/29/09)

Maine
Insurance Commissioner, Health Insurance Emergency Planning & Procedures (Emergency Rule), (June 16, 2009).
The State Bureau of Insurance issued an emergency preparedness rule "To ensure that all health insurance companies... are adequately prepared to deal with public health emergencies."
 
Iowa
The following draft order was provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health:
Antiviral Shortage Order

For more information about international legal actions, please visit the Public Health Law and Policy Program, at Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.


World Health Organization (WHO), Statement by WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan, (April 25, 2009).
The Director-General has determined that the outbreak of H1N1 Influenza constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, pursuant to the International Health Regulations.
(posted 4/29/09)

Australia
Department of Health and Ageing, Australia Strengthens Border Surveillance for Swine Flu, (April 27, 2009).
The Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, has authorized the strengthening of border surveillance at airports, including requiring the captains of all planes arriving from the Americas to report to the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.
(posted 4/29/09)

Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada, Government of Canada Provides Update on Prevention Measures Being Taken Regarding Human Swine Influenza, (April 28, 2009).
This News Release details actions taken by the Canadian government, including activating the Government’s emergency Operations Centre.
(posted 4/29/09)

Costa Rica
Presidente de la República Óscar Arias, Decretan Emergencia Sanitaria Nacional por Epidemia Humana de Fiebre Porcina, (April 28, 2009) (in Spanish).
The President of the Republic of Costa Rica has declared a public health emergency.
(posted 5/01/09)

Mexico
Presidente Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa, Decreto por el que se Ordenan Diversas Acciones en Materia de Salubridad General, para Prevenir, Controlar y Combatir la Existencia y Transmisión del Virus de Influenza Estacional Epidémica, (April 25, 2009) (in Spanish)..
The President of Mexico has instructed the Ministry of Health to take action to control and combat H1N1 Influenza, including isolation of those identified as carrying the virus, and inspection of passengers.
(posted 4/29/09)

Secretario de Salud, José Ángel Córdova Villalobos, Suspensión de Clases en el Distrito Federal y el Estado de México por Influenza, (April 24, 2009)) (in Spanish).
The Mexican Minister of Health has authorized the closure of schools in these jurisdictions.
(posted 4/29/09)

Service Employees International Union, Local 121RN, et al. v. Los Robles Regional Medical Center, et al.
United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division
C 09-5065 JF (RS)
Filed November 17, 2009
Opinion by Judge Fogel
Injunctive relief from hospital’s implementation of mandatory H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccination policy for healthcare workers denied
(Posted 12/22/2009)

David Fidler, The Swine Flu Outbreak and International Law, 13 ASIL Insights (April 27, 2009).

U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing entitled “Swine Flu: Coordinating the Federal Response,” at 10:00 a.m. ET, on April 29, 2009, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building. A video archive of the hearing, featuring DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and CDC Interim Deputy Director for Science and Public Health Program, Rear Admiral Anne Schuchat, is available at http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=2a681099-9864-4f0d-b533-7dd2489f65ec.

Disclaimer: Please note that this information is not legal advice. Any questions regarding the application of specific laws should be directed to your official legal counsel.

The CDC Public Health Law Program recommends state, local, tribal, and territories consider implementing these tools to assess their legal preparedness for H1N1 and other influenza outbreaks.

• "Strengthening the Coordination of Public Health and Law Enforcement during an Influenza Pandemic" a case study developed for Forensic Epidemiology (3.0)
• Guide for Developing an MOU for Public Health, Law Enforcement, Corrections, and the Judiciary
• Community Pan-Flu Preparedness: A Checklist of Key Legal Issues for Healthcare Providers
• Social Distancing Law Assessment Template