(a) The Secretary shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to prevent: (1) The introduction of an infectious or contagious disease into this State or other disease that endangers public health in this State; or (2) The spread of an infectious or contagious disease or other disease that endangers public health in this State. (b) When the Secretary has reason to believe that an infectious or contagious disease or other disease that endangers public health exists within the State, the Secretary shall: (1) Investigate the suspected disease; and (2) Act properly to prevent the spread of the disease. (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual enrolled in an institution of higher education who resides in on-campus student housing shall be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. (2) An individual is exempt from the vaccination requirement in paragraph (1) of this subsection if: (i) The institution of higher education provides detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability and effectiveness of any vaccine to: 1. The individual, if the individual is 18 years of age or older; or 2. The individual's parent or guardian, if the individual is a minor; and (ii) 1. The individual is 18 years of age or older and the individual signs a written waiver in a form approved by the Secretary stating that the individual has received and reviewed the information provided and has chosen not to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease; or 2. The individual is a minor and the individual's parent or guardian signs a written waiver in a form approved by the Secretary stating that the parent or guardian has received and reviewed the information provided and has chosen to not have the individual vaccinated against meningococcal disease. (3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any institution of higher education to provide or pay for vaccinations against meningococcal disease. (4) The Secretary, in consultation with the Maryland Higher Education Commission, shall adopt regulations necessary to implement this subsection. (d) The Secretary may enter on and inspect private property to determine the presence, cause, and source of an infectious or contagious disease or other disease that endangers public health in this State.
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