HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3139

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

18-312.

In Part III of this subtitle, "public health veterinarian"
means the veterinarian whom the Secretary designates as
responsible for the veterinary public health program of the
Department.

18-313.

The Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene shall provide a
statewide system:

(1)  To control rabies;

(2)  TO GRANT AUTHORITY EQUALLY TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH
VETERINARIAN AND THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER IN MATTERS PERTAINING
TO THE DISPOSITION OF ANIMALS THAT BITE OR OTHERWISE EXPOSE
RABIES TO AN INDIVIDUAL;

[(2)] (3) To treat each individual who is exposed or
suspected of having been exposed to rabies; and

[(3)] (4) To distribute, in accordance with the
conditions set by the Secretary of Agriculture, the biological
products that are needed to prevent and treat rabies.

18-316.

(a)  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this
subsection, an individual immediately shall report to the local
police or sheriff if the individual:

(i) Knows that a dog, cat, or other warm
blooded animal has bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed an
individual to a possible rabies infection; or

(ii) Suspects that an animal has rabies.

(2) In Frederick County, the individual shall report
to the animal control center of Frederick County.

(b) On receipt of a report under this section, the police,
sheriff, or animal control center staff shall:

(1)  Notify the health officer for the county where
the report is made; and

(2)  Enforce all orders of the health officer and the
public health veterinarian.