Sec. 9. (a) A multiple county board of health shall appoint a health officer in accordance with IC 16-20-1-9.5 and section 2 of this chapter to serve for a term of four (4) years. The appointment of the health officer is subject to the approval of the legislative body of each participating county. If the legislative bodies of the participating counties fail to approve the nominated individual on two (2) separate occasions, the individual is barred from further consideration for the position.

     (b) The appointment of the health officer shall be certified by the county executive of each participating county and sent to the state department for the state department’s records.

     (c) The health officer is eligible for reappointment and serves until a successor is appointed and qualified.

     (d) The health officer is the executive officer of the multiple county health department and shall serve as secretary of the multiple county board of health.

     (e) If a multiple county 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 multiple county board of health must do the following:

(1) Obtain the approval of the county executives.

(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 multiple county board of health plans to ensure the appropriate clinical oversight for any provided medical services.

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

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

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-3.9-6.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.219-2021, SEC.9; P.L.164-2023, SEC.30.