2014 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 12 - Miscellaneous Public Affairs Matters
Section 10A Public Health Emergency Response
Section 12-10A-8 Isolation or quarantine authorized; protection of a person isolated or quarantined.

A. The secretary of health may isolate or quarantine a person as necessary during a public health emergency, using the procedures set forth in the Public Health Emergency Response Act.

B. The secretary of health, the secretary of public safety, the director and anyone acting under the secretaries' or the director's authority, when isolating or quarantining a person during a public health emergency, shall ensure that:

(1) isolation or quarantine shall be by the least restrictive means necessary to protect against the spread of a threatening communicable disease or a potentially threatening communicable disease to others and may include confinement to a private home or other private or public premises;

(2) isolated persons are confined separately from quarantined persons;

(3) the health status of an isolated or quarantined person is monitored regularly to determine if he requires continued isolation or quarantine. To adequately address emergency health situations, an isolated or quarantined person shall be given a reliable means to communicate twenty-four hours a day with health officials and to summon emergency health services;

(4) if a quarantined person subsequently becomes infected or is reasonably believed to be infected with a threatening communicable disease or a potentially threatening communicable disease, he shall be isolated pursuant to the provisions of the Public Health Act [Chapter 24, Article 1 NMSA 1978] or the Public Health Emergency Response Act;

(5) the needs of a person isolated or quarantined be addressed in a systematic and orderly manner, including the provision of adequate food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, and to the extent of available resources, appropriate medication and treatment, medical care and mental health care;

(6) there are methods of communication available to a person placed in isolation or quarantine so that he may communicate with others, including family members, household members, legal representatives, advocates and the media. Accommodations shall also be made for religious worship or practice and updates on the status of the public health emergency, as available;

(7) the premises used for isolation or quarantine are maintained in a safe and hygienic manner and are designed to minimize the likelihood of further transmission of infection or other injury to other persons who are isolated or quarantined; and

(8) to the extent feasible, forms are provided to a person in isolation or quarantine that document the person's consent or objection to the isolation or quarantine.

C. A person isolated or quarantined pursuant to the provisions of the Public Health Emergency Response Act has the right to refuse medical treatment, testing, physical or mental examination, vaccination, specimen collections and preventive treatment programs. A person who has been directed by the secretary of health to submit to medical procedures and protocols because the person is infected with, reasonably believed to be infected with, or exposed to a threatening communicable disease and who refuses to submit to the procedures and protocols may be subject to continued isolation or quarantine pursuant to the provisions of the Public Health Emergency Response Act.

D. A person not authorized by the secretary of public safety, the secretary of health or the director shall not enter an isolation or quarantine area. If, by reason of an unauthorized entry into an isolation or quarantine area, a person poses a danger to public health, the person may be subject to isolation or quarantine pursuant to the provisions of the Public Health Emergency Response Act.

E. A household or family member of a person isolated or quarantined has a right to choose to enter an isolation or quarantine area. The secretary of public safety, the secretary of health or the director shall permit the household or family member entry into the isolation or quarantine area if the household or family member signs a consent form stating that the member has been informed of the potential health risks, isolation and quarantine guidelines and the consequences of entering the area. The household or family member shall not hold the state of New Mexico responsible for any consequences by reason of entry into the isolation or quarantine area. A household or family member who enters the area, at the discretion of the public health official, may be subject to isolation or quarantine pursuant to the provisions of the Public Health Emergency Response Act.