An Act to amend Title 2 section 5326 of the Commonwealth Code, to modify quarantine requirements; and for other purposes. (P.L. 12-29)

GOV. (HOUSE) COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Pedro Tenorio Jesus R. Sablan Govern or Lt. Governor The Honorable R. Fitial Speaker, House of Representatives Twelfth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Saipan, MP 96950 Caller Box 10007 Saipan, MP 96950 Telephone: (670) 664-2200 Fax: (670) 664-2211 and The Honorable Paul A. Manglona Senate President Twelfth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Saipan, MP 96950 Dear Mr. Speaker and President: This is to inform you that I have signed into law House Bill No. 12-220, entitled, "To amend Title 2 section 5326 of the Commonwealth Code, to modify quarantine requirements; and for other purposes," which was passed by the Twelfth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. I am happy to note that the public safety concerns raised in a similar prior bill, which was disapproved, have been addressed in this measure. A few minor clarification might be considered in the future if, during the implementation of this Act, the need for improvement should arise. Change "Commonwealth Veterinarian" (a position title that no longer exists within DLNR) to "Chief of Animal Health and Industry". Delete the word "U.S." on page 1, line 16, before the words "Office of International Epizootics." Although, Infectious Canine Hepatitis was not included as requiring vaccination, this could be addressed, in the meantime, through a permit requirement. This measure addresses the long overdue need to modify our prior quarantine law, while it benefits our community, and safeguards the health and safety of the people. This bill becomes Public Law No. 12-29. Copies bearing my signature are forwarded for your reference. Sincerely, CC; Secretary of Lands and Natural Resources Special Assistant for Programs Legislative Review R E C E I V E D r P. Benigno OCT a 12cm Mr. EDR~TENORIO & House of NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE P.O. Box 500586 Saipan, MP 96950 October 4,2000 The Honorable Pedro P. Tenorio Governor Commonwealth of the Northern of the Governor Capitol Hill Saipan, MP 96950 Islands Dear Governor Tenorio: PUBLIC LAW NO. 12-29 I have the honor to transmit herewith for your action House Bill No. 12-220, entitled, “To amend Title 2 section 5326 of the Code, to modify quarantine requirements; and for other purposes,” which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Twelfth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. Respect fully, Attachment Mariana Office Commonwealth !f?Jpresentatives . Twelfth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature HOUSE BILL NO. 12-220 1 1 AN ACT To amend Title 2 section 5326 of the Commonwealth Code, to modify quarantine requirements; and for other purposes. Offered by and David M. Apatang Date: July 18,2000 Dino M. Jones HOUSE ACTION Referred to: Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations Standing Committee Report: 12-130 First and Final Reading: August 8,2000 SENATE ACTION Standing Committee Report: None Final Reading: September 22,2000 HOUSE O,F REPRESENTATIVES Representative(s): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 TWELFTH MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE EIGHTH SPECIAL SESSION, 2000 NO, 12-29 H. B. NO. 12-220 AN ACT To amend Title 2 section 5326 of the Commonwealth Code, to modify quarantine requirements; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE TWELFTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE: Section . Purpose. The Legislature finds that controlling the spread if infectious among animals imported into the Commonwealth is of critical importance to our sland ecosystem. The Legislature further finds that the current system of quarantining animals or 120 days needs to be revisited. With the advances being made in veterinary medicine, we 'eel that the Commonwealth Veterinarian should be allowed greater flexibility in determining he appropriate type and duration of quarantine. Section 2. Amendment. Title 2 section 5326 is hereby amended to read as follows: The Commonwealth Veterinarian may quarantine any animal known to be affected or to have been exposed to any contagious, infectious or communicable disease, and the same when in his opinion the measure is necessary to prevent the spread of disease. the owners expense, the Commonwealth Veterinarian or his designee may provide for the disposition of its hide, carcass or feathers, and disinfect premises where the disease may existed. (a) All dogs and cats, except as otherwise provided for under this statue, from areas other than those declared to be rabies by either the State of Hawaii, the World Health Organization, or the U.S. Office of International Epizootics may be confined at the As Animal Quarantine Facility for up to 120 days, or longer if in the opinion it is necessary to prevent the introduction of rabies or other infectious, I J ' I I iiseases .vith iestroy \t )roper 1ave I NORTHERN PUBLIC LAW free Perdido 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 PUBLIC NO. 12-29 HOUSE BILL NO. 12-2 0 contagious or communicable disease of cats and dogs. The Commonwealth Veterinarian may approve a period of home quarantine if in his discretion it will not create unnecessary risk to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Veterinarian will maintain and publish a listing of rabies-free areas in the regulations as changes occur. (b) Dogs and cats from rabies-free areas may be exempted from the quarantine requirements provided that their areas remain free, at the time of importation, of rabies and maintained, at the time of importation, to the satisfaction of the Commonwealth Veterinarian, stringent entry requirements to prevent the introduction of disease into their areas; and that they have been vaccinated for the following: Dogs: Distemper, Parainfluenza, Rabies, Leptospira, and Coronavirus Kennel cough: Cats: Panleukopenia virus, Rhinotracheitis, Pnemonitis, Rabies and Leukemia and provided that, in addition to meeting the requirements applicable to dogs and cats, they are imported in compliance with the entry conditions and requirements stipulated in the regulations and on their entry permits. Section 3. If any provision of this Act or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance should be held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act or the application of its provisions to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby. Section 4. Savings Clause. This Act and any repealer contained herein shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired under contract or acquired under statutes repealed or under any rule, regulation or order adopted under the statutes. Repealers contained in this Act shall not affect any proceeding instituted under or pursuant to prior law. The enactment of this Act shall not have the effect of terminating, or in any way any liability, civil or criminal, which shall already be in existence on the date this Act becomes effective. Page 2 • LAW Parvovirus, Calicivirus, Severabilitv. modifying, 4 LAW 12-29 HOUSE BILL NO. 12-220 Section 5. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the Governor or its becoming law without such approval. BY: ATTESTED TO BY: C. \ GOVERNOR COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN ISLANDS Page 3 R OF THE HOUSE PUlJLIC NO, PEDRg,P'. TENORIO MARIANA ING