Legal Protections for Public Health Officials
Nationwide, state and local public health officials working to protect the public from COVID-19 are on the receiving end of threatening and harassing conduct for simply fulfilling their duty to protect the public health. In response, the Network conducted research to examine whether the states and Washington, D.C., have criminal statutes punishing individuals who impede public health officials’ duties with such behavior.
Resources
50 State Survey: Summary of Enacted Laws and Pending Bills Limiting Public Health Authority: The Second Wave
Public Health Under Threat: An Examination of State Laws Protecting Public Health Officials from Harassment
50 State Survey: Legal Protections for Public Health Officials
Legal Protections for Public Health Officials During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Spotlight
Protecting Public Health Authority to Protect the Health of Our Communities
The State(s) of Public Health Advocacy: Turning to the States during a time of Federal Transition
The Year in Harm Reduction Law: 2024 Wrap-up
Learn More
Real-time assistance for questions related to COVID-19 response
The Network can assist local, county, tribal and state health agencies with timely guidance, resources and information critical to key COVID-19 response measures, particularly in the areas of:
- public health authority and emergency powers,
- constitutionality of practices,
- health data privacy,
- protections for disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals,
- crisis standards of care, and
- ethical decision making.
Want our help?
Eastern Region Office
The Eastern Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Injury Prevention and Safety
» Environmental Public Health
» Food Safety
- Contact an Eastern Region Law & Policy Expert
Kathi Hoke Director (410) 706-1294
khoke@networkforphl.orgMegan Griest Chief of Staff (410) 706-0584
mgriest@networkforphl.orgKerri McGowan
LowreyDeputy Director & Director
of Grants & Research(410) 706-5994
klowrey@networkforphl.orgMathew Swinburne Associate Director (410) 706-4532
mswinburne@networkforphl.org
Mid-States Region Office
The Mid-States Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Health Information Data Sharing
» Public Health Statutes and Regulatory Information
- Contact a Mid-States Region Law & Policy Expert
Denise Chrysler Director (734) 647-1316
dchrysler@networkforphl.orgPeter D. Jacobson Co-Director Jennifer Bernstein Deputy Director (734) 764-6772
jbernstein@networkforphl.orgColleen Healy Boufides Deputy Director (734) 764-2089
chealyboufides@networkforphl.orgSallie Milam Deputy Director (952) 452-9700
smilam@networkforphl.org
Northern Region Office
The Northern Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Mental Health and Well-Being
» Rural Health Equity
» Climate Resilience
- Contact a Northern Region Law & Policy Expert
Jill Krueger Director (952) 452-9705
jkrueger@networkforphl.orgBetsy Lawton Senior Staff Attorney (952) 452-9697
blawton@networkforphl.org
Southeastern Region Office
The Southeastern Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Drug Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction
» Health Reform
» Maternal and Child Health
» Public Health Agency Structure, Organization and Accreditation
» Messaging
- Contact a Southeastern Region Law & Policy Expert
Gene Matthews Director (734) 647-1316
gmatthews@networkforphl.orgJane Perkins Senior Attorney (919) 260-4303
jperkins@networkforphl.orgSarah Somers Managing Director (919) 968-6308 Ext. 102
ssomers@networkforphl.orgCorey Davis Deputy Director (310) 736-1657
cdavis@networkforphl.orgAmy Lieberman Senior Attorney (952) 500-9105
alieberman@networkforphl.org
Western Region Office
The Western Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Emergency Legal Preparedness and Response
» Immunization
- Contact a Western Region Law & Policy Expert
James G. Hodge, Jr. Director (480) 727-8576
jhodge@networkforphl.orgApril Shaw Staff Attorney (480) 727-2091
ashaw@networkforphl.orgLeila Barraza Consultant (480) 965-9741
lbarraza@networkforphl.org
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Legal Research and Assistance
Experienced legal experts are available to answer questions and provide research, analysis and guidance. Let us know what you’re working on and together we can figure out how we can help.
Legal Assistance Library
Explore the Network’s Legal Assistance Library to find answers to commonly asked questions on a variety of public health topics.