You asked which states required testing for tuberculosis (TB) in inmates.

SUMMARY

There are at least four states that require testing of TB in inmates: Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and Texas. Two states, California and South Carolina, require testing of all inmates that are suspected of being infected with TB. An Ohio law states that prisoners may be tested upon entrance or at any other time, but it is not required. Although California does not require testing of inmates, there is mandatory TB testing for correctional facilities employees.

STATES WITH MANDATORY TESTING

Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri and Texas require TB testing for all inmates in correctional facilities. In addition, all of these states but Louisiana require correctional facility employees to be tested for TB. The employees are tested prior to employment and, in Minnesota and Missouri, are screened annually as well (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 199. 350).

Louisiana requires all persons entering a prison for 48 hours or more to be screened for TB and all persons entering a jail for 14 days or more to be screened for TB if funding is available (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 4 A (2) (c) (iv-v))

In Texas, all persons detained for more than seven consecutive days are screened for TB (Tex. Code Ann. § 89. 051). In Minnesota, all persons detained for more than 14 consecutive days are screened for TB (Minn. Stat. § 144. 445 Sub. 1). But, Minnesota has exceptions to the mandatory TB testing including people detained in a juvenile temporary holdover facility and various other medical exceptions (Minn. Stat. § 144. 445 Sub. 3).

STATES THAT REQUIRE TESTING IF TB IS SUSPECTED

California and South Carolina both require testing if TB is suspected. In South Carolina, a prisoner must be examined within five days after commitment if TB is suspected (S. C. Code Ann § 44-31-330). In California, prisoners are only tested if they are suspected of TB. But testing is mandatory for all employees upon hiring and annually thereafter (Cal. Penal § 6006 & 6007). Prospective employees will not be hired unless they are TB free.

STATES THAT MAY TEST FOR TB

In Ohio, prisoners may be tested for TB at the time of reception or any other time during their incarceration (Ohio Rev. Code Ann § 5120. 163).

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