§ 27.82. Refusal to submit to examination.
(a) If a person refuses to submit to the examination required in § 27.81 (relating to examination of persons suspected of being infected), the Department or the local health authority may direct the person to be quarantined until it is determined that the person does not pose a threat to the public health by reason of being infected with a disease causing organism or being a carrier.
(b) If the person refuses to abide by an order issued under subsection (a), the Department or local health authority may file a petition in the court of common pleas of the county in which the person is present. The petition shall have a statement attached, given under oath by a physician licensed to practice in this Commonwealth, that the person is suspected of being infected with an organism causing a sexually transmitted disease, tuberculosis or other communicable disease, or that the person is suspected of being a carrier.
(1) Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall, within 24 hours after service of a copy upon the respondent, hold a hearing without a jury to ascertain whether the person named in the petition has refused to submit to an examination to determine whether the person is infected with the suspected disease causing organism, or that the person is a carrier.
(2) Upon a finding that the person has refused to submit to an examination and that there is no valid reason for the person to do so, the court may forthwith order the person to submit to the examination.
(3) The certificate of the physician attached to the petition shall be received in evidence and shall constitute prima facie evidence that the person named is suspected of being infected with the disease causing organism, or that the person is a carrier.
(c) A person refusing to undergo an examination as required under subsections (a) and (b) may be committed by the court to an institution in this Commonwealth determined by the Department to be suitable for the care of persons infected with the suspected disease causing organism.
Source The provisions of this § 27.82 amended January 25, 2002, effective January 26, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 491. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (243672) to (243673).
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 27.83 (relating to court ordered examinations); and 28 Pa. Code § 27.161 (relating to special requirements for tuberculosis).
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