SECTION 1. Section 72 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the words, “such intervals as the department shall specify in its rules and regulations” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- “any time”.

SECTION 2. Said Section 72 is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph to the end thereof:-

The department may require that employees of convalescent and nursing homes, infirmaries maintained in towns, rest homes, charitable homes for the aged and intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled be tested for certain diseases or have their temperature taken as a condition of reporting for work.

SECTION 3. Section 72M of Chapter 111 is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph to the end thereof:-

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, during a public health emergency or a state of emergency declared by the governor, the department may intervene in the operation of a facility. During a public health emergency or a state of emergency declared by the governor, the department may take actions or issue orders to prevent death or injury to the facility’s patients and employees, including but not limited to, taking control of a facility or appointing a temporary receiver.