Bill No.: HB0094                     Drafter:  JWL

 

LSO No.:   05LSO-0167                 Effective Date:  2/25/2005

 

Enrolled Act No.:    HEA0085

 

Chapter No.:         125

 

Prime Sponsor:       Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee

 

Catch Title:         Environmental health study.

 

Subject:   Directs study of agency jurisdiction over environmental health and safety issues.

 

Summary/Major Elements:

 

·         Directs state health officer and the department of health to convene a task force to study environmental health issues and the state or federal agencies to which those issues are assigned;

 

·         Directs the department of health, in conducting the study, to:

 

o        Examine overlapping agency jurisdiction and jurisdictional gaps;

 

o        Recommend solutions to jurisdictional problems;

 

o        Involve the departments of environmental health and agriculture, appropriate state and local agencies and interested public and private stakeholders;

 

o        Publicize the study and solicit participation of private groups.

 

·         Requires the department of health to submit a plan for coordination and clarification of agency responsibility for environmental health issues, with recommendations for any needed legislation;

 

·         Authorizes the department to contract with a facilitator for the study;

 

·         Makes $50,000.00 general fund appropriation to the department of health for the study.

 

Comment

 

·         Requires department of health to submit a report and plan to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee by November 15, 2005.