Delaware § 3138 Collection of laboratory specimens; performance of tests during public health emergency

Delaware Statutes

§ 3138 — Collection of laboratory specimens; performance of tests during public health emergency

Delaware § 3138

JurisdictionDelaware

Title20

PartCivil Defense

Ch. 31EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Subch.Public Health Emergencies

This text of Delaware § 3138 (Collection of laboratory specimens; performance of tests during public health emergency) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Delaware primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Del. Code tit. 20, § 3138 (2026).

Text

During a state of emergency, the public health authority may, for such period as the state of emergency exists, collect specimens and perform tests on any person or animal, living or deceased, and acquire any previously collected specimens or test results that are reasonable and necessary for emergency response.

(1)All specimens shall be clearly marked.

(2)Specimen collection, handling, storage and transport to the testing site shall be performed in a manner that will reasonably preclude specimen contamination or adulteration and provide for the safe collection, storage, handling and transport of such specimen.

(3)Any person authorized to collect specimens or perform tests shall use chain of custody procedures to ensure proper record keeping, handling, labeling and identification of

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During a state of emergency, the public health authority may, for such period as the state of emergency exists, collect specimens and perform tests on any person or animal, living or deceased, and acquire any previously collected specimens or test results that are reasonable and necessary for emergency response.

(1) All specimens shall be clearly marked.

(2) Specimen collection, handling, storage and transport to the testing site shall be performed in a manner that will reasonably preclude specimen contamination or adulteration and provide for the safe collection, storage, handling and transport of such specimen.

(3) Any person authorized to collect specimens or perform tests shall use chain of custody procedures to ensure proper record keeping, handling, labeling and identification of specimens to be tested. This requirement applies to all specimens, including specimens collected using on-site testing kits.

(4) Recognizing that during a state of public health emergency, any specimen collected or test performed may be evidence in a criminal investigation, any business, facility or agency authorized to collect specimens or perform tests shall provide such support as is reasonable and necessary to aid in a relevant criminal investigation.

(5) To prevent the spread of contagious or possibly contagious disease, the public health authority may isolate or quarantine, subject to § 3136 of this title, persons who are unable or unwilling for reasons of health, religion or conscience to undergo specimen collection or testing pursuant to this section.