Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-1-201; Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-1-204

Authority. The commissioner of health, appointed by the governor, has the power to declare quarantine whenever he or she determines the welfare of the public requires it. The commissioner has the authority to prescribe rules and regulations deemed proper for the prevention of epidemic diseases in the state. In the event of an emergency or disaster that involves the outbreaks of disease that present a danger of an epidemic, the commissioner shall make appropriate recommendations to the governor for actions under this title and title 58, chapter 2, to allocate all available heath care resources in the affected areas for immediate and long-term health care needs of the affected populations.

The county health officer is empowered to order the quarantine of any place or person if the county health officer finds that such control is necessary to protect the public health from an epidemic.

The commissioner and all state, district, county or municipal health officers are authorized, directed and empowered to implement control measures that are reasonable and necessary to prevent the introduction, transmissionand spread of tuberculosis in this state.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-1-203

Penalties. Any person who willfully disregards or evades quarantine, or violates any rule or regulation made in attempting to prevent the spread of any epidemic disease, commits a Class B misdemeanor.