SB 194 TERMINATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

Sen Craig Brandt

Actions: [2] SCC/SHPAC/SJC-SCC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 Senate Bill 194 (SB 194) amends the Emergency Powers Code, the Public Health Emergency Response Act, and the Public Health Act by providing for automatic termination of a public health emergency order or a public health order that closes public places or limits gatherings. It provides for renewal or amendment of a public health emergency order or a public health order upon authorization of the legislature or by particular legislative leaders in certain circumstances. SB 194 declares an emergency.  

 Senate Bill 194 (SB 194) creates a new section of the Emergency Powers Code by providing for automatic termination of a public health emergency order or a public health order that closes public places or limits gatherings 30 days after its issuance. Such orders require the governor to notify certain legislative leaders immediately upon issuance. SB 194 prohibits the renewal or amendment or the issuance of a new order for the same subject without the joint resolution of the legislature or by written joint statement of designated legislative leaders if the legislature is not in session. It creates a new section for the Public Health Act with the same proposed changes to public health orders.
SB 194 conforms Section 12-10A-5 NMSA 1978 (Public Health Emergency Response Act) to mandate certain information in a public health emergency order as described above to indicate whether the duration is greater than fourteen days or less than thirty days when the order does not close public places or limits gatherings. It includes the notification to the designated legislative leadership when an order that closes public places or limits gatherings is issued and the automatic termination at 30 days unless the procedure in the new section of the Emergency Power Code is met.  
 

 As per Section 12-9B-1 NMSA 1978, the Emergency Powers Code includes Chapter 12, Articles 10, 10A, 11 and 12 NMSA 1978. 
The governor confers with the secretary of health concerning public health orders.
 

 SB 194 relates to HJR 8.