California · Health and Safety Code - HSC

HSC §101080.2: (a) The local health officer may issue, and first responders may execute, an order authorizing first responders to immediately isolate exposed individuals that may have been exposed to biological, che

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

A local health officer may issue orders for first responders to isolate people exposed to dangerous biological, chemical, or radiological agents for up to two hours. Violating such an order is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine and/or 90 days county jail.

Read the full statutory text
(a) The local health officer may issue, and first responders may execute, an order authorizing first responders to immediately isolate exposed individuals that may have been exposed to biological, chemical, toxic, or radiological agents that may spread to others. An order issued pursuant to this section shall not be in effect for a period longer than two hours and shall only be issued if the means are both necessary and the least restrictive possible to prevent human exposure. (b) Before any implementation of the authority in subdivision (a), the local health officer shall establish a related memorandum of understanding with first responders in his or her jurisdiction that shall require consultation with the Office of Emergency Services operational area coordinator, consistent with the standardized emergency management system established pursuant to Section 8607 of the Government Code, and shall include where and how exposed subjects will be held pending decontamination in the local jurisdiction. That memorandum of understanding shall be made available to the public. (c) A violation of an order issued by the local health officer and executed by a first responder pursuant to subdivision (a) is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of up to 90 days, or by both.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.