Darlene Huang Briggs is Deputy Director of Special Projects at the Network for Public Health Law. She is interested in trust building work among internal and external, as well as historically “traditional” and “non-traditional,” public health partners to modernize government systems so they more effectively deliver public health services and enable better health for all. This includes efforts to help public health and other government agencies understand and effectively use their legal authority to promote the public’s health, including through initiatives such as Act for Public Health, and forging new relationships with partners committed to advancing equal opportunities for everyone.

Darlene began her public health career at a local county health department and has held law and policy positions at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Public Health Law Center, Georgetown University’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Her work over the last 15 years with interdisciplinary teams, including consulting on regulatory science issues, has been centered around designing, enacting, and implementing laws and policies that advance equitable health outcomes. She grew up in small, family-owned businesses in the food industry, which instilled in her a strong work ethic and sense of customer service. And, while she loves a good Taiwanese boba tea, her experiences have also catalyzed her commitment to undoing the harms of the “model minority” stereotype, a concept that robs people of their individuality and impedes the advancement of a just society. Darlene earned her B.S. from Colorado State University, M.P.H. from the University of Minnesota, and J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.

Articles & Resources

Trends in Vaccination Law and Judicial Challenges

WebinarsEmergency Legal Preparedness and ResponseCOVID-19Health in SchoolPublic Health AuthorityMaternal and Child Health

June 30, 2023
by Darlene Huang Briggs

The federal and state vaccination requirements that prevented infection and death for millions of people in the U.S during the pandemic have also led to legislation and litigation limiting governmental authority to impose these life-saving public health measures. This webinar will explore recent legislative and judicial trends related to vaccine law and policy, including the expansion of non-medical exemptions and shifts in the authority to impose vaccination requirements, especially for school attendance. Speakers will also discuss vaccination measures that have been enacted to slow the transmission of COVID-19, such as more equitable vaccine access through expanded scope of practice laws for qualified providers to administer vaccinations. The webinar will also provide a glimpse inside the legislative experience of public health advocates in one state given the changed vaccination policy landscape.

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Innovative Laws and Policies for a Post-Pandemic Public Health System

ReportPublic Health AuthorityCOVID-19Mechanisms for Advancing Public Health

June 20, 2023
by Jill Krueger, Donna Levin and Darlene Huang Briggs

The backlash in response to public health measures taken during the pandemic has resulted in many states passing laws restricting the ability of public health to take action to protect the health of their communities. However, there are many states that have taken innovative actions that strengthen public health authority and provide mechanisms that support a strong public health infrastructure.

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