Sec. 16. (a) Each local board of health shall appoint a health officer that meets the requirements of IC 16-20-1-9.5 to serve for a term of four (4) years. The health officer serves until a successor is appointed and qualified.

     (b) The appointment of a local health officer is subject to the approval of the appropriate county legislative body. If the appropriate county legislative body fails to approve a nominated individual on two (2) separate occasions, the individual is barred from further consideration for the position.

     (c) The appointment shall be certified by the county executive and sent to the state department. The state department shall maintain a record of the certification.

     (d) The health officer is eligible for reappointment.

     (e) The health officer is the executive officer of the local health department and shall serve as secretary of the local board of health.

     (f) If a local board of health wants to employ a local health officer who is not a physician, but meets the requirements of IC 16-20-1-9.5(a)(2), the local board of health must do the following:

(1) Obtain the approval of the county executive.

(2) Upon obtaining the approval under subdivision (1), submit a request to the executive board of the state department for approval to employ the individual. The request must detail how the county or jurisdiction plans to ensure the appropriate clinical oversight for any provided medical services.

     (g) The executive board of the state department shall determine whether to approve a request under subsection (f)(2) based on the needs of the requesting county or jurisdiction and the qualifications of the individual.

     (h) A local health officer may be appointed to serve simultaneously more than one (1) local board of health.

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-3.8-9.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.219-2021, SEC.8; P.L.164-2023, SEC.26.