Connecticut State Department of Public Health

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Tuberculosis Quarantine Laws

 

SUMMARY (C.G.S. Chapter 386g, Sec. 19a-265):

To view the complete law, please visit the Connecticut General Assembly website.  


Purpose:

  • Helps ensure that people with potentially infectious TB are made noninfectious as quickly as possible.
  • Helps ensure that people with TB complete their prescribed medical regimen.
  • Prevents the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB).
  • Helps ensure that people who need help to comply with their TB treatment get assistance.

PRIMARY AUTHORITY:

The TB Control Law requires the local health director in the town in which the patient resides to work with the attending physician and the patient to develop and approve: 
  • A hospital discharge plan, if the patient has been hospitalized.
  • An outpatient treatment plan.
PROGRESSIVE STEPS:


To be completed by the local health director in collaboration with: the state TB control program, the primary physician for the patient, and the patient. Steps must occur in this order. Each step has procedural requirements, with a time frame. 

  • Issue a warning for examination.
  • Issue a warning for treatment.
  • Issue a warning for DOT (Directly Observed Therapy).
  • Issue an emergency commitment order for those who do not comply with the above steps.
  • Petition the probate court for a judicial commitment order until therapy is complete.
ASSURANCES FOR THE PERSON WITH TB: 
  • A person will not be forced to swallow medications.
  • All warnings and orders will be in a language that the patient can understand.
  • A person subject to a probate court order has the right to appeal to superior court.
  • Any action (for example, a warning for treatment, examination, or DOT) will be supported by proper documentation.
  • All orders, applications and petitions of local health directors shall be kept confidential.
  • A person who cannot afford legal counsel will have it provided for him/her.

 A complete copy of the Connecticut's Tuberculosis Control Law may be obtained by calling the TB Control Program at 860-509-7722.

 

 

This page last updated 7/22/2021.