Collection of Laboratory Specimens; Performance of

Tests. The public health authority may, for such period as the state of public health emergency exists, collect specimens and perform tests on living persons as provided in §19602, and also upon deceased persons and any animal (living or deceased), and acquire any previously collected specimens or test results that are reasonable and necessary to respond to the public health emergency.

(a)Marking. All specimens shall be clearly marked.

(b)Contamination. Specimen collection, handling, storage and transport to the testing site shall be performed in a manner that will reasonably preclude specimen contamination or adulteration, and provide for the safe collection, storage, handling and transport of such specimen.

(c)Chain of Custody. Any person authorized to collect specimens or perform tests shall use chain of custody procedures to ensure proper record keeping, handling, labeling and identification of specimens to be tested. This requirement applies to all specimens, including specimens collected using on-site testing kits. COL9/7/2021 CH. 19 EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS

(d)Criminal Investigation. Recognizing that, during a state of public health emergency, any specimen collected or test performed may be evidence in a criminal investigation, any business, facility or agency authorized to collect specimens or perform tests shall provide such support as is reasonable and necessary to aid in a relevant criminal investigation.