Sec. 19a-131k. Mandatory distribution of potassium iodide.
Sec. 19a-131k. Mandatory distribution of potassium iodide. (a) For purposes
of this section:
(1) "Child day care service" means a child day care center, group day care home
or family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, and licensed pursuant to section
19a-80 or 19a-87b;
(2) "Public health emergency" means a public health emergency, as defined in section 19a-131;
(3) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Health;
(4) "Nursing home facility" means any nursing home, as defined in section 19a-521, but shall not include residential care homes; and
(5) "Youth camp" means any facility licensed pursuant to chapter 368r.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, each nursing home facility, child day care service or youth camp shall provide potassium iodide to residents,
staff members, minors or other persons present in such facility, day care service or camp
when directed by the commissioner during a public health emergency. Each nursing
home facility, child day care service or youth camp shall (1) upon admitting a resident
or minor to, or upon hiring a staff member for, such facility, notify each resident or
representative of a resident, staff member or parent or guardian of a minor of the requirement for the provision of potassium iodide under this subsection and obtain prior written
permission or written objection for such provision from each such person, and (2) prior
to obtaining such written permission or written objection, advise each such person, in
writing, (A) that the ingestion of potassium iodide is voluntary only, (B) about the
contraindications of taking potassium iodide, and (C) about the potential side effects of
taking potassium iodide.
(c) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions
of chapter 54, to establish criteria and procedures for obtaining the required written
permission, and for the storage and distribution of potassium iodide to residents, staff
members, minors or other persons present in such facility, day care service or camp.
(P.A. 03-236, S. 15; P.A. 07-129, S. 5.)
History: P.A. 03-236 effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 07-129 amended Subsec. (b) to provide for mandatory distribution
of potassium iodide by nursing home facilities, child day care services or youth camps during public health emergencies.