IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is a notifiable communicable disease that requires immediate reporting and in 2006 the State of Maine received reports of an un- shelter with single-drug resistant tuberculosis. The man was diagnosed with tuberculosis in another state and did not complete treatment. This led to the exposure of more than 100 people in the county jail and homeless shelter, with 6 confirmed cases. The man stayed in the hospital for 2 months for treatment, education and finding a place where he could continue the 6 month treatment. He informed the hospital that he would not continue his treatment after being discharged. To prevent further drug resistance, public health officials sought a court order to compel treatment. He was admitted to a long-term care facility for treatment, but after 8 days he left the facility. This resulted in an arrest warrant and, once arrested, he was then sent to a secure location outside of Maine, to the tuberculosis unit at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Boston, in Massachusetts, to complete his treatment.1DiscussionMaine laws that authorize public health officials to take actionThere are regulations and several laws that authorize Maine public health officials to take this action. The first law is §802 - Department Authority, Subsection 2 - Health Emergency which states that in the event of a threat to public health, the department "may adopt emergency rules for the protection of the public health" , and this includes isolating people. infected persons for treatment, care, and infection control.2 Maine CDC Chapter 258, Section 6 - Duties of Health Care Providers and Health Care Attendants states that those who attend a case of infectious disease mandatory reporting must report a non-compliant person for the needs in... ... middle of document ...... public health professionals can adopt medical treatment in stages to protect the health of the public and develop a strategy in case of non-compliance. As in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, the state used its police power to protect the public from harm. In the case of United States v. Shinnick, Ellen Siegel, The State did not have evidence that Ms. Siegel had been exposed or had symptoms, but the testimony and concerns of the medical community were sufficient to justify the imposed isolation. The role of the State is to protect its citizens. It also means protecting at-risk and vulnerable people by providing them with the best care in their best interests and in the interests of the general public. Quarantine and isolation should only be used when necessary due to non-compliance and in the least restrictive manner possible to protect the rights of the individual while ensuring the safety of citizens..