A. The governing body of any county or city may enter into a contract with the Board for the operation of the local health department in such county or city.
B. Each contract between a county or city and the Board shall specify the services to be provided in addition to the services required by law and shall contain such other provisions as the Board and the governing body of the county or city may agree upon.
C. Whenever in the opinion of the State Health Commissioner the operation of any local health departments operated under contractual agreement with the Board may be accomplished in a more efficient and economical manner by the consolidation of such local health departments, the Commissioner may propose the creation of a district health department composed of such local health departments. Such district health department shall be created by resolution duly adopted by the governing body of each county and city to be included in such district.
C1. The governing body of each city or county may appoint a local health services advisory board for the local health department that serves it. If a local health department serves more than one city or county, the governing bodies of the cities or counties that it serves shall be entitled to jointly appoint such a board. The board shall include representatives of health care providers, recipients of health department services, state and local agencies with programs operated in conjunction with the health department, and the public at large. No more than two elected officials shall serve on any board.
The number of members appointed to each local board shall not be less than ten nor more than fifteen.
The local board shall actively participate with community representatives in the formulation of a comprehensive plan for the development, coordination and evaluation of local health services systems and shall make formal recommendations to the governing authority or authorities at least annually concerning the comprehensive plan and its implementation during the ensuing year.
It shall be the responsibility of the local health director to:
1. Attend the meetings of the board;
2. Provide information concerning the operation of the local health department as requested by the board; and
3. Participate with the board in the preparation and review of the comprehensive plan.
D. Whenever a contract is entered into between a county or city and the Board as provided in this section, the Commissioner shall appoint the health director for the local health department. Whenever a district health department is formed as provided in this section, the Commissioner shall appoint a district health director who shall be deemed to be the local health director of each county and city in the district. Each health director appointed by the Commissioner shall be employed full time and shall be a state employee. Such health director shall perform such duties as may be prescribed in the contract or contracts and, with the approval of the Commissioner, any other health-related duties prescribed by local ordinances.
E. Every employee of a local or district health department operated under a contract with the Board shall be a state employee; but if such person was an employee of such political subdivision and a member of the local retirement system on the effective date of any such contract and does not elect, in writing and within sixty days after the effective date of such contract, to become a member of the Commonwealth's retirement system, such employee shall remain a member of the local retirement system.
In any case in which the effective date of such contract of affiliation is prior to July 1, 1977, any member of the Virginia Retirement System who became a member by such election and who has withdrawn his contributions from the local retirement system may be credited with his creditable service in such local system upon payment to the Virginia Retirement System of an amount equal to five percent of his salary rate at the date of payment multiplied by the number of years of service to be credited. Such crediting of service shall be allowed only if such member files written request therefor with the Board prior to October 1, 1977.
Code 1950, §§ 32-40.1, 32-40.2; 1954, c. 508; 1966, c. 535; 1977, c. 620; 1979, c. 711; 1987, c. 206.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 1 - Administration Generally
§ 32.1-1. References to former sections, articles and chapters of Title 32 and other titles
§ 32.1-3.1. Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail
§ 32.1-5. Appointment of members; terms and vacancies
§ 32.1-6. Meetings and chairman
§ 32.1-11. Environmental health, laboratory, and medical care services
§ 32.1-11.2. Regional AIDS resource and consultation centers; HIV early intervention centers
§ 32.1-11.3. Patient and community health education services
§ 32.1-11.6. Virginia Pregnant Women Support Fund; purpose; guidelines
§ 32.1-11.7. Guidelines for cleanup of residential property used to manufacture methamphetamine
§ 32.1-12. Regulations, variances and exemptions
§ 32.1-12.1. Board to establish regulations regarding human research
§ 32.1-13. Emergency orders and regulations
§ 32.1-13.1. Health policy responsibilities
§ 32.1-15. Suggestions as to legislation
§ 32.1-15.1. Certified community health workers
§ 32.1-16. State Department of Health
§ 32.1-17. Appointment of Commissioner; qualifications; term
§ 32.1-18. Executive officer of Board
§ 32.1-19. Duties prescribed by Board
§ 32.1-20. Vested with authority of Board
§ 32.1-21. Salary; teaching activities
§ 32.1-22. Personnel; Deputy Commissioner
§ 32.1-23. Publication of information
§ 32.1-23.01. Information about and resources on palliative care
§ 32.1-23.2. Sexual assault nurse examiner information
§ 32.1-23.3. Eligible Health Care Provider Reserve Directory
§ 32.1-23.4. Prescription drug price transparency; civil penalty
§ 32.1-23.5. Reporting of certain data regarding financial assistance
§ 32.1-23.6. Information and data related to social determinants of health
§ 32.1-24. Applicability of Administrative Process Act
§ 32.1-25. Right of entry to inspect, etc.; warrants
§ 32.1-26. Orders; hearing and notice
§ 32.1-27. Penalties, injunctions, civil penalties and charges for violations
§ 32.1-27.1. Additional civil penalty or appointment of a receiver
§ 32.1-28. When Attorney General to represent Board; special counsel
§ 32.1-29. Employment of attorney to defend Board members, employee, etc.
§ 32.1-30. Local health departments
§ 32.1-32. Independent local health departments
§ 32.1-33. When Board to perform duties of local board
§ 32.1-34. Scope of local health ordinances and regulations
§ 32.1-34.1. Power to seek and receive donations
§ 32.1-34.2. Human trafficking hotline; posted notice required
§ 32.1-34.3. Funding local health departments; cooperative local health budget; report