ANIMAL EUTHANASIA FOR RABIES TESTING
House Bill 4288
Sponsor: Rep. Ruth Ann Jamnick
Committee: Health Policy
Complete to 3-13-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4288 AS INTRODUCED 2-20-01
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to allow local health officers to order that an animal be euthanized for rabies testing before the expiration of any quarantine period established by the Department of Community Health.
More specifically, the bill would amend the section of the health code that allows the department to establish procedures for the control of rabies and the disposition of nonhuman agents carrying rabies. The bill would allow local health officers to order the euthanization of an animal, before the expiration of a quarantine period established by the department, if the animal had bitten, scratched, caused abrasions, or contaminated with saliva or other infectious material a human being's open wound or mucus membranes. Before issuing such an order, the health officer would be required to consult with an accredited veterinarian, and the order itself would have to state the reason for the order (such as the animal's vaccination status, the occurrence of rabies in the area, the absence of provocations for the incident, the severity of the wound, or a wound's proximity to the brain).
MCL 333.5101 and 333.5111
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.