On April 29, 2009, the CDC Public Health Law Program and the CDC Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response hosted a facilitated conference call on the principal federal laws that frame responses to all-hazards public health emergencies. These laws are directly relevant to federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial agencies’ emergency preparedness and response efforts.

Speakers included:

Brian Kamoie, JD, MPH, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and Director, Office of Policy, Strategic Planning & Communications, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (HHS) opened the program.

Diane Donley, JD, Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ms. Donley presented information about the Stafford Act.

Susan Sherman, JD, MHS and Jennifer Ray, JD, MPH, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ms. Sherman and Ms. Ray presented an overview of the authorities of the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Emergency Response for public health emergency preparedness and response under the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, and related provisions of the Social Security Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Kim Dammers, JD, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Georgia, currently on detail to the CDC Public Health Law Program and the CDC Office of General Counsel. Ms. Dammers presented on quarantine authorities under the PHS Act.

The PowerPoint presentation is available below.

Federal Public Health Emergency Law: Implications for State and
Local Preparedness and Response