2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes
Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics
Section 26:4-37 - Quarantine, restrictions, proceedings, report
26:4-37. Quarantine, restrictions, proceedings, report
26:4-37. In establishing quarantine for venereal disease, the licensed health officer or the State Commissioner of Health, or the authorized representative of either shall by notice in writing define the restriction of the actions, behavior and movements of the person or the place and the limits of the area within which the person is to be quarantined. Such person while so quarantined shall observe and obey said notice restricting his actions, behavior and movements or remain within the place and area defined by said health officer, director or representative in said notice. The custodian, if any, of such person shall safely keep and confine said person and said notice shall be sufficient warrant and authorization therefor.
Whenever a licensed health officer or the State Commissioner of Health or the authorized representative of either shall quarantine any person for venereal disease under authority of this article, he may also order the removal of such person to the place and area within which the person is to be quarantined for venereal disease, and the person shall proceed to such place at the time and in the manner specified.
A licensed health officer or the State Commissioner of Health or the authorized representative of either one of them may file a complaint with any municipal court in the county or with the Superior Court against the following persons:
a. Any person, who while quarantined for venereal disease fails, refuses or neglects to observe and obey said notice restricting his actions, behavior and movements, or to remain within the place and area defined by said health officer, director or representative or to proceed to a place for quarantine for venereal disease at the time and in the manner specified by said health officer, director or representative.
b. Any person who fails, refuses or neglects to submit to, observe or obey the conditions of any commitment or to comply with any order made by any court under authority of this article.
c. Any of the persons included in section 26:4-36 of this article.
If a warrant issues, it shall be directed to the sheriff or any constable in the county, or any police officer.
The court shall determine the matter without a jury. If the court finds that the person is one of those listed in this section against whom a complaint may be filed, it may commit such person to a State, county, or municipal hospital which will receive the person, or to any other place or institution suitable for and willing to receive the person for detention, examination, care and treatment, whether the hospital, place or institution be located within or without the county, or to the county jail or may make any order for the examination, care or treatment of said person which may be deemed proper under the circumstances.
The complaint, commitment, and all other papers relating to the case shall be impounded and shall not be open to public inspection, and hearings shall not be open to the public.
Any person committed under the provisions of this statute shall be held in the place to which committed until discharged by the court which heard the case or by the Superior Court or by order of the Commissioner of the State Department of Health.
The local health officer having jurisdiction shall report to the State department any person quarantined for venereal disease, or upon whom a summons is served or against whom a warrant is issued under authority of this article except where the action is initiated by the State Commissioner of Health or his authorized representative.
Amended 1945,c.104,s.4; 1953,c.26,s.36; 1991,c.91,s.291.
