Prepared for the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations U.S. Senate

The spread of SARS in the U.S. presents significant challenges for tribal, state, and local public health authorities. Laws at each level of government may facilitate the planning, preparation for, response to, and prevention of existing and future SARS cases. Ideally, public health laws authorize government to employ proven powers while respecting individual rights. As such, laws are tools for improving public health outcomes. However, there is considerable variation among existing public health laws, particular at the state and local levels. These laws may be antiquated, inconsistent, and fragmented. They may not reflect the most current scientific, ethical, and legal norms or standards for public health practice. Suc