§ 22-11A-18 — Isolation of Person Believed to Have Sexually Transmitted Disease; Such Person Required to Report for Treatment; Costs; Compulsory Treatment and Quarantine

(a) Any person where there is reasonable cause to believe has a sexually transmitted disease or has been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease shall be tested and examined by the county or State Health Officer or his designee or a licensed physician. Whenever any person so suspected refuses to be examined, such person may be isolated or committed as provided in this article until, in the judgment of the State or county Health Officer, that person is no longer dangerous to public health. The cost of rooming and boarding such person, other than when confined to his/her own residence, shall be the responsibility of the state.
(b) The State Health Officer or county health officer shall require all persons infected with a sexually transmitted disease to report for treatment by the health officer or a licensed physician, and continue treatment until such disease, in the judgment of the attending physician is no longer communicable or a source of danger to public health. When such infected persons are unable to pay the attending physician’s fees and are indigent, they shall submit to treatment at state expense. Whenever, in the judgment of the state or county health officer, such a course is necessary to protect public health, a person infected with a sexually transmitted disease may be committed or isolated for compulsory treatment and quarantine in accordance with the provisions of this article. The cost of rooming and boarding such person, other than when confined to his/her own residence, shall be the responsibility of the state.

Legislative History

(Acts 1987, No. 87-574, p. 904, §18; Acts 1990, No. 90-629, §4.)