A new article in Health Affairs, co-authored by ChangeLab Solutions' vice president of law, Sabrina Adler, analyzes the effects of proposed and enacted state laws that limit the legal powers of public health officials. The article provides a brief background on the newly altered law and policy landscape and then provides examples of consequences precipitated by the proposed and enacted laws.
During and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of bills were introduced in state houses limiting the legal powers of public health officials. While most of these bills did not become law, at least 25 states enacted legislation curbing the legal authority of public health officials.
Adler and her co-authors state, "During and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of bills were introduced in state houses limiting the legal powers of public health officials. While most of these bills did not become law, at least 25 states enacted legislation curbing the legal authority of public health officials. Many judicial decisions also pushed back against broad interpretations of public health officials’ legal powers. Taken together, these new state laws and court decisions are apt to have significant consequences for public health officials’ abilities to respond to future health emergencies."
5/23/2024
