Vermont § 1157 - Quarantine

§ 1157. Quarantine

• (a) The Secretary may order any domestic animals; the premises upon which they are or
  have been located; any animal products derived from those domestic animals; and any
  equipment, materials, or products to which they have been exposed to be placed in
  quarantine if the animals: (1) are affected with a contagious disease; (2) have been exposed to a contagious disease; (3) may be infected with or have been exposed to a contagious disease; (4) are suspected of having biological or chemical residues, including antibiotics, in
  their tissues that would cause the carcasses of the animals, if slaughtered, to be
  adulterated within the meaning of chapter 204 of this title; (5) are suspected of having been exposed to biological or chemical agents that may cause
  the animal’s milk, processed dairy product, or other product to be adulterated or
  otherwise unsafe for human consumption or use; or (6) are owned or controlled by a person who has violated any provision of this part, and
  the Secretary finds that a quarantine is necessary to protect the public welfare. (b) Once a quarantine has been ordered, no animal under quarantine shall be removed from
  the premises where it is located. The Secretary may limit or prevent other animals
  from being brought onto the same premises as the quarantined animal. (c) A verbal quarantine order shall be effective immediately. Written notice of quarantine
  shall be delivered by certified mail, registered mail, or in person to the owner of
  the animals or to the person in possession of the animals, or if the owner or person
  in possession is unknown, by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in
  the area. The notice shall include: (1) a description of the subject of the quarantine; (2) an explanation of why the quarantine is necessary; (3) the duration of the quarantine or what condition must be met to lift the quarantine,
  including conditions for the repopulation of the premises and disinfection of equipment,
  materials, and products; (4) the terms of the quarantine; (5) the name and address of the person to be contacted for further information; and (6) a statement that the person may request a hearing on the quarantine order. (d) The Secretary may use placards or any other method deemed necessary to give notice
  or warning to the general public of the quarantine. (e) Within 15 days of receiving notice, a person subject to a quarantine order may request
  a hearing to be held by the Secretary. The hearing shall be held within 60 days from
  the date of the request unless the Secretary has determined that a longer period is
  necessary because of the extent of the outbreak of disease, in which case the hearing
  shall be held as soon as practicable. A request for a hearing shall not stay the quarantine
  order. (f) It shall be unlawful to violate the terms of a quarantine order issued pursuant to
  this section. Any person who knowingly violates a quarantine order shall be subject
  to a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than six months,
  or both. Any person who knowingly violates a quarantine order and causes the spread
  of a contagious disease beyond the quarantined premises shall be subject to a fine
  of not more than $15,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than two years, or both. (Added 1987, No. 276 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 37, § 3; 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2017, No. 30, § 3; 2023, No. 42, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.)