Section 3701.342. Minimum standards and optimum achievable standards for boards of health and local health departments

The director of health shall adopt rules establishing minimum standards and optimum achievable standards for boards of health and local health departments. The minimum standards shall assure that boards of health and local health departments provide for:

(A) Analysis and prevention of communicable disease;

(B) Analysis of the causes of, and appropriate treatment for, the leading causes of morbidity and mortality;

(C) The administration and management of the local health department;

(D) Access to primary health care by medically underserved individuals;

(E) Environmental health management programs;

(F) Health promotion services designed to encourage individual and community wellness;

(G) Annual completion of two hours of continuing education by each member of a board of health. The minimum standards shall provide that continuing education credits shall pertain to ethics, public health principles, and a member's responsibilities. Credits may be earned in these topics at pertinent presentations that may occur during regularly scheduled board meetings throughout the calendar year or at other programs available for continuing education credit. The director of health may assist local boards of health of general and city health districts in coordinating approved continuing education programs sponsored by health care licensing boards, commissions, or associations. The minimum standards also shall provide that continuing education credits earned for the purpose of license renewal or certification by licensed health professionals serving on boards of health may be counted to fulfill the two-hour continuing education requirement.

The director shall adopt rules establishing a formula for distribution of state health district subsidy funds to boards of health and local health departments. The formula shall provide no subsidy funds to a board or department unless it meets minimum standards and shall provide higher funding levels for boards and districts that meet optimum achievable standards.

Notwithstanding section 119.03 of the Revised Code, rules adopted under this section shall not take effect unless approved by concurrent resolution of the general assembly.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.127, HB 487, §101.01, eff. 9/10/2012.

Effective Date: 11-15-1981