Alabama § 22-2-8.1 - Emergency Rules, Orders, or Directives Relating to Certain Containment or Mitigation Measures.

§ 22-2-8.1. Emergency Rules, Orders, or Directives Relating to Certain Containment or Mitigation Measures.

(a) An emergency rule, order, or directive relating to containment or mitigation measures to address a disease outbreak that is generally applicable to the public at large, or to businesses, institutions, or other entities, shall not be effective unless the rule, order, or directive is first approved by the Governor and a copy is filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

(b) Subsection (a) does not prohibit or restrict the State Health Officer from issuing individualized orders or directives to persons for violations of public health laws under this title, or rules adopted thereunder, or closure of certain state waters for oyster harvesting. Individualized orders or directives include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Emergency suspensions or proposed revocations of permits, licenses, or authorizations to engage in activities governed by public health laws or rules thereunder.

(2) Fines issued for violations of public health laws.

(3) Directives to destroy adulterated or contaminated food, milk, or milk products.

(4) Directives to abate unsanitary conditions caused or maintained by a person which are, or are likely to become, menaces to public health.

(5) Quarantine or isolation orders issued to individuals having, or suspected of having, a communicable disease.

(c) The State Health Officer shall report emergency rules, orders, and directives he or she issues to the State Committee of Public Health at its next meeting after the action is taken, and the action shall then be subject to confirmation or modification by the committee.

(d) Nothing in this section shall permit the State Health Officer or Governor to require an individual resident to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or any variant thereof.