2013 Maryland Code
AGRICULTURE
§ 3-105 - Powers of Secretary to prevent spread of contagious or infectious diseases

§3-105.

(a) To prevent the spread of contagious or infectious diseases, the Secretary, or his agent, may:

(1) Visit at any time the location in any county where he has reason to believe any contagious or infectious disease may exist;

(2) Test any animal for any contagious disease by any method;

(3) Order every animal which has been exposed to a contagious or infectious disease to be isolated in the manner he deems necessary to prevent the spread of the disease;

(4) Order any location where any contagious or infectious disease has existed or presently exists to be quarantined, so that no domestic animal of the same species may be removed from or brought to the quarantined premises until it is properly disinfected;

(5) Issue any order he deems necessary or expedient to prevent the communication of any infectious or contagious disease from the quarantined area;

(6) Issue an order requiring the destruction of any animal infected with or exposed to an infectious or contagious disease, and for the proper destruction of its hide or carcass, and any object which might carry infection or contagion;

(7) Issue an order requiring disinfection of every building, premises, vehicle, and every object which may breed or convey any infectious or contagious disease;

(8) Destroy any building or article that is contaminated and incapable of proper disinfection;

(9) Modify, cancel, or withdraw the terms of any order the Secretary issues pursuant to this subtitle; and

(10) Institute a livestock patrol along the State borders to prevent any livestock affected with any contagious or infectious disease from being brought into the State contrary to the laws regulating shipment of livestock into the State.

(b) The owner or his agent shall secure the animal to make it possible for the Secretary or his agent to apply any test.

(c) The Secretary may order any sheriff, deputy sheriff, or other law enforcement officer of the State or of any county to provide information or assist in the execution or enforcement of any order of the Department.

(d) For the performance of duties imposed by this section, the sheriff, deputy sheriff, or other law enforcement officer shall be compensated on a basis of performance of similar duties under existing laws.

§ 3-105 - 1. Administrative search warrants

(a) In general. -- The Secretary or a designee of the Secretary may apply to a judge of the District Court or a circuit court for an administrative search warrant to enter any factory, warehouse, vehicle, building, establishment, or other premises to conduct any inspection required or authorized by law to determine compliance with the provisions of this subtitle relating to the regulation and prevention of infectious and contagious livestock and poultry diseases.

(b) Requirements. --

(1) The application shall be in writing and signed and sworn to by the applicant and shall particularly describe the place, structure, premises, vehicle, or records to be inspected and the nature, scope, and purpose of the inspection to be performed by the applicant.

(2) Before the filing of a search warrant application with a court, it shall be approved by the Attorney General of Maryland as to its legality in both form and substance under the standards and criteria of this section and a statement to this effect shall be included as part of the application.

(c) Issuance. -- A judge of a court referred to in subsection (a) of this section may issue the warrant on finding that:

(1) The applicant has sought access to the property for the purpose of making an inspection;

(2) (i) After requesting, at a reasonable time, the owner, tenant, or other individual in charge of the property to allow access, has been denied access to the property; or

(ii) After making a reasonable effort, has been unable to locate any of these individuals;

(3) The requirements of subsection (b) of this section are met;

(4) The Secretary or designee of the Secretary is authorized or required by law to make an inspection of the property for which the warrant is sought; and

(5) Probable cause for the issuance of the warrant has been demonstrated by the applicant by specific evidence of an existing violation of any provision of this subtitle or any rule or regulation adopted under this subtitle.

(d) Items to be inspected. --

(1) An administrative search warrant issued under this section shall specify the place, structure, premises, vehicle, or records to be inspected.

(2) The inspection conducted may not exceed the limits specified in the warrant.

(e) Scope of warrant. -- An administrative search warrant issued under this section authorizes the Secretary or designee of the Secretary to enter the specified property to perform the inspection, sampling, and other functions authorized by law to determine compliance with the provisions of this subtitle relating to the regulation and prevention of infectious and contagious livestock and poultry diseases.

(f) Execution and return. -- An administrative search warrant issued under this section shall be executed and returned to the judge by whom it was issued within:

(1) The time specified in the warrant, not to exceed 30 days; or

(2) If no time period is specified in the warrant, 15 days from the date of its issuance.

(g) Confidentiality. -- Any information obtained pursuant to an administrative search warrant shall be considered as confidential and may not be disclosed except to the extent utilized in an administrative or judicial proceeding.