Cal. Code Regs. tit. 15, § 3999.410 – Disease and Virus Testing.

(a) The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) shall assess, screen, treat, and contain Tuberculosis (TB).
1. (1) Reception Centers (RC). Patients shall be screened for TB symptoms upon arrival at the RC before being housed as part of the screening process.
  1. (A) Asymptomatic patients with a prior negative Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test, negative Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), or unknown or inadequate documentation of TB infection status shall have an IGRA test drawn at the RC unless there is documentation of a negative IGRA test or negative TST in the prior 30 calendar days.
    1. 1. Asymptomatic patients known to be HIV infected shall also receive a chest x-ray within 72 hours of arrival unless their records contain documentation of a normal or stable chest x-ray within the preceding 30 days. The chest x-ray shall be read within 24 hours. Any HIV infected patient with a chest x-ray abnormality that cannot be documented as stable for 60 or more days by previous records, shall be isolated and evaluated by a clinician even if asymptomatic.
  2. (B) Patients with written documentation of a positive IGRA test or a positive TST, and no documentation of a complete course of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection, and no prior chest x-ray or the prior chest x-ray was taken more than six months before entry or re-entry into CDCR, shall, within 72 hours of arrival at an RC, have a chest x-ray and further workup as clinically indicated to rule out TB disease.
  3. (C) Patients with a history of prior TB disease shall:
    1. 1. Be evaluated by a health care provider.
    2. 2. Have a baseline chest x-ray.
2. (2) Patients arriving at a CDCR institution shall receive symptom screening for TB disease as part of the transfer screening process set forth in section 3999.306.
  1. (A) This includes patients who are:
    1. 1. Transferred between CDCR institutions.
    2. 2. Returned from out-to-court.
    3. 3. Returned from a higher level of care.
    4. 4. Laid over (enroute or short stay) with no known recent exposure to an active TB patient.
3. (3) Annual and other periodic screening. Patients housed in a CDCR institution shall receive a TB evaluation annually and receive periodic screenings based on the status of TB infection treatment.
  1. (A) All patients with a history of TB disease or untreated latent TB infection shall be educated about signs and symptoms of TB disease and available treatment options.
4. (4) The results of the TB symptom screening shall be documented in the health record.
5. (5) Patients with signs or symptoms of TB during any of the above screenings shall wear a procedure mask and be sent immediately to the Triage and Treatment Area to be evaluated for active TB disease.

Note: Authority cited: Section 5058, Penal Code. Reference: Sections 5008.2, 5054 and 7570-7576, Penal Code; Section 121060, Health and Safety Code; and Plata v. Newsom (No. C01-1351 JST), U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

History

1. New article 11 (sections 3999.410-3999.411) and section filed 7-1-2019 as an emergency; operative 7-1-2019 (Register 2019, No. 27). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 12-9-2019 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

2. New article 11 (sections 3999.410-3999.411) and section refiled 12-5-2019 as an emergency; operative 12-10-2019 (Register 2019, No. 49). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-9-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

3. Editorial correction restoring inadvertently omitted article heading (Register 2019, No. 49).

4. New article 11 (sections 3999.410-3999.411) and section refiled 3-9-2020 as an emergency; operative 3-10-2020 (Register 2020, No. 11). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 6-8-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

5. Certificate of Compliance as to 3-9-2020 order transmitted to OAL 6-8-2020 and filed 7-20-2020 (Register 2020, No. 30).

6. Amendment filed 9-18-2025; operative 1-1-2026 (Register 2025, No. 38).