SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 61
(By Senators Bowman and McKenzie)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance appoint an
interim committee to study the structure, mission and services
of local health departments.
Whereas,
Local health departments are responsible for
directing, supervising and carrying out matters relating to public
health in counties and municipalities;
and
Whereas
, The role of local health departments has never been
more important in meeting the public health needs of West
Virginia?s citizens, including acting as one of the frontline
organizations in the communities they serve in the defense against
threats from outside the country to the water and food supplies and
the intentional introduction of biological and chemical hazards;
and
Whereas
, It is essential that local health departments are
structured to meet these needs, that their mission is clear and
that the services they provide are sufficient to meet these
challenges and responsibilities; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to appoint an interim committee
to study the structure,
mission and services of local health departments; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2005, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.