CDC

Specific Laws and Regulations Governing the Control of Communicable Diseases

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services has statutory responsibility for preventing the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases in the United States. Under its delegated authority, the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine works to fulfill this responsibility through a variety of activities, including

  • the operation of Quarantine Stations at ports of entry
  • establishment of standards for medical examination of persons destined for the United States, and
  • administration of interstate and foreign quarantine regulations, which govern the international and interstate movement of persons, animals, and cargo.

The legal foundation for these activities is found in Titles 8 and 42 of the U.S. Code and relevant supporting regulations.

Legal Authorities for Isolation and Quarantine

The federal government derives its authority for isolation and quarantine from the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Read more on the  Legal Authorities for Isolation and Quarantine page.

United States Federal Laws and Regulations for Control of Communicable Diseases

United States Code

The United States Code is a consolidation and codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. Sections 264-272 of the following portion of the code apply: Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 6A - Public Health Service, Subchapter II - General Powers and Duties, Part G - Quarantine and Inspection. Links are provided by the Government Printing Office.

Code of Federal Regulations

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the official and complete text of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register. These regulations are established by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The CFR is divided into various titles that represent broad subject areas of Federal regulation. CDC's regulations fall under Title 42: Public Health, Chapter 1 - Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.

Links are from the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration on the United States Government Printing Office web site. Specifically, Parts 70 and 71 of the following portion of the CFR apply:

Recent Updates

On January 19th, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the Final Rule titled Final Rule for Control of Communicable Diseases: Interstate and Foreign. This Final Rule enhances HHS/CDC’s ability to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases into the United States and interstate by clarifying and providing greater transparency regarding its response capabilities and practices. The final rule is published on the Office of the Federal Register’s website. This regulation became effective on March 21st, 2017.

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Executive Orders

Executive Orders specify the list of diseases for which federal quarantine is authorized, which is required by the Public Health Service Act. On recommendation of the HHS Secretary, the President may amend this list whenever necessary to add new communicable diseases, including emerging diseases that are a threat to public health.

Amendment to Executive Order 13295: Quarantinable Communicable Diseases
Federal Register Archives, signed April 4, 2003, amended by 13375 on April 1, 2005 and and by 13674 on July 31, 2014.

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