The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The collection, transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of infectious waste in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of the workers who handle the waste and of the public is a matter of statewide concern.

(2) The public health, safety and welfare is best protected by an infectious waste collection system that serves as many persons as possible in this state, including medical care and laboratory facilities, nursing care facilities and private residences.

(3) In the interest of public health, safety and welfare, it is the policy of this state to establish requirements for collection, transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of infectious waste that will establish priority in methods of treating and disposing of infectious waste. [1989 c.763 § 2]