Detention for testing, examination, observation and consensual medical treatment; limitation on time; rights of person detained; extension of time.
1. Any person or group of persons alleged to have been infected with or exposed to a communicable disease may be detained in a public or private medical facility, a residence or other safe location under emergency isolation or quarantine for testing, examination, observation and the provision of or arrangement for the provision of consensual medical treatment in the manner set forth in NRS 441A.500 to 441A.720, inclusive, and subject to the provisions of subsection 2:
(a) Upon application to a health authority pursuant to NRS 441A.560;
(b) Upon order of a health authority; or
(c) Upon voluntary consent of the person, parent of a minor person or legal guardian of the person.
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, 4 or 5, a person voluntarily or involuntarily isolated or quarantined under subsection 1 must be released within 72 hours, including weekends and holidays, from the time of his admission to a medical facility or isolation or quarantine in a residence or other safe location, unless within that period:
(a) The additional voluntary consent of the person, the parent of a minor person or a legal guardian of the person is obtained;
(b) A written petition for an involuntary court-ordered isolation or quarantine is filed with the clerk of the district court pursuant to NRS 441A.600, including, without limitation, the documents required pursuant to NRS 441A.610; or
(c) The status of the person is changed to a voluntary isolation or quarantine.
3. A person who is involuntarily isolated or quarantined under subsection 1 may, immediately after he is isolated or quarantined, seek an injunction or other appropriate process in district court challenging his detention.
4. If the period specified in subsection 2 expires on a day on which the office of the clerk of the district court is not open, the written petition must be filed on or before the close of the business day next following the expiration of that period.
5. During a state of emergency or declaration of disaster regarding public health proclaimed by the Governor or the Legislature pursuant to NRS 414.070, a health authority may, before the expiration of the period of 72 hours set forth in subsection 2, petition, with affidavits supporting its request, a district court for an order finding that a reasonably foreseeable immediate threat to the health of the public requires the 72-hour period of time to be extended for no longer than the court deems necessary for available governmental resources to investigate, file and prosecute the relevant written petitions for involuntary court-ordered isolation or quarantine pursuant to NRS 441A.500 to 441A.720, inclusive.
Last modified: February 26, 2006